Head & neck
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Free flap reconstruction of head and neck cancer defects is complex with many factors that influence perioperative complications. The aim was to determine if there was an association between perioperative variables and postoperative outcome. ⋯ Patient age, comorbidity, smoking, preoperative hemoglobin, and perioperative fluid management are potential predictors of postoperative complications following free flap reconstruction for cancer of the head and neck.
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Tracheostomy decreases airway resistance and work of breathing. No comprehensive data are available on respiratory mechanics after tracheostomy decannulation. We evaluated respiratory mechanics after decannulation. ⋯ Inspiratory time increased after decannulation, and arterial blood gas levels and respiratory mechanics did not change for the whole cohort. Individual changes in work of breathing are considerable and correlate closely to changes in airway resistance.