Exploring the impact of free flap reconstruction on obstructive sleep apnea of patients with oral and oropharynx cancer: A preliminary study

Abstract

SUMMARY Little was known about the association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and oral and oropharynx cancers (OOCs) To clarify the impact of free flap reconstruction on OSA we performed a pilot study to investigate the change of OSA severity in patients with OOC before and after flap reconstruction surgery The purpose of this study was to describe the long-term trend on OSA of patients with OOC and to understand the related factors The study design was prospective cohort study This study recruited 15 patients who were newly diagnosed with OOCs and expected to receive free flap reconstruction surgery For each participant polysomnography tests were performed repeatedly at the time of pre-operative post-operative 1-week and post-operative 6-month periods Our study showed that OOCs patients with free flap reconstruction surgery had significantly increased AHI level during post-operative 1-week period The OSA severity became partial remission after 6 months We recommend that the head and neck cancer team should pay attention to the OSA issues in OOCs patients with free flap reconstruction surgery

Date of Award	2020
Original language	English
Supervisor	Wei-Sue Lai (Supervisor)