Head & neck
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Pulmonary complications are a primary source of increased cost and morbidity in surgically treated head and neck cancer patients. This study investigates potential risk factors related to postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and prolonged mechanical ventilation) in head and neck cancer patients. ⋯ Patient smoking history was the primary variable related to postoperative pulmonary problems, with evidence of increasing risk with increased exposure. Other variables added only limited additional risk association information after multivariate analysis.