The risk of free flap revision and subsequent medical costs in patients with hypopharyngeal cancer.

[BACKGROUND] Few studies have examined the preoperative risks and healthcare costs related to free flap revision in hypopharyngeal cancer (HPC) patients.

[METHODS] A 20-year retrospective case-control study was conducted using the Chang Gung Research Database, focusing on HPC patients who underwent tumor excision and free flap reconstruction from January 1, 2001, to December 31, 2019. The impacts of clinical variables on the need for re-exploration due to free flap complications were assessed using logistic regression. The direct and indirect effects of these complications on medical costs were evaluated by causal mediation analysis.

[RESULTS] Among 348 patients studied, 43 (12.4%) developed complications requiring re-exploration. Lower preoperative albumin levels significantly increased the risk of complications (OR 2.45, 95% CI 1.12-5.35), especially in older and previously irradiated patients. Causal mediation analysis revealed that these complications explained 11.4% of the effect on increased hospitalization costs, after controlling for confounders.

[CONCLUSIONS] Lower preoperative albumin levels in HPC patients are associated with a higher risk of microvascular free flap complications and elevated healthcare costs, underscoring the need for enhanced nutritional support before surgery in this population.