OBJECTIVE: We sought to compare the overall 1-year management costs for patients receiving a free tissue transfer with those of patients receiving a pedicled flap reconstruction as a component of their primary head and neck cancer treatment. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Case-control, cost identification analysis of 21 matched pairs of patients and multivariate analysis of variables associated with treatment costs was conducted in a tertiary referral academic institution. RESULTS: No significant difference in total 1-year charges between the pedicled and free tissue transfer groups was found. A structured measure of patient comorbidity was the only variable significantly associated with total 1-year charges. CONCLUSIONS: Total 1-year treatment costs of primary upper aerodigestive tract cancers are similar for patients reconstructed with free tissue transfer or a pedicled flap. SIGNIFICANCE: Within the context of overall 1-year management costs, the primary determinants of health care expense for these patients are comorbidity and extent of disease, not reconstructive technique.
OBJECTIVE: We sought to compare the overall 1-year management costs for patients receiving a free tissue transfer with those of patients receiving a pedicled flap reconstruction as a component of their primary head and neck cancer treatment. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Case-control, cost identification analysis of 21 matched pairs of patients and multivariate analysis of variables associated with treatment costs was conducted in a tertiary referral academic institution. RESULTS: No significant difference in total 1-year charges between the pedicled and free tissue transfer groups was found. A structured measure of patient comorbidity was the only variable significantly associated with total 1-year charges. CONCLUSIONS: Total 1-year treatment costs of primary upper aerodigestive tract cancers are similar for patients reconstructed with free tissue transfer or a pedicled flap. SIGNIFICANCE: Within the context of overall 1-year management costs, the primary determinants of health care expense for these patients are comorbidity and extent of disease, not reconstructive technique.
Authors: Jonathan F Dautremont; Luke R Rudmik; Justin Yeung; Tiffany Asante; Steve C Nakoneshny; Monica Hoy; Amanda Lui; Shamir P Chandarana; Thomas W Matthews; Christiaan Schrag; Joseph C Dort Journal: J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg Date: 2013-12-19
Authors: F Bussu; R Gallus; V Navach; R Bruschini; M Tagliabue; G Almadori; G Paludetti; L Calabrese Journal: Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital Date: 2014-10 Impact factor: 2.124