Single- versus two-stage reconstruction in patients with head and neck cancer: What are the benefits?

In head and neck oncology, surgical treatment frequently results in microvascular reconstruction. Oncologic resection followed by immediate reconstruction is often associated with prolonged working and surgical duration, challenging a surgeon’s concentration level and potentially worsening patient outcome. To improve the surgeon’s performance and to reduce risk of potential complications, we implemented a two-stage procedure in patients with head and neck cancer. This study critically analyzed the surgical outcomes, organizational benefits, and investigated job satisfaction among affected health care professionals. A retrospective data analysis of patients who had undergone microvascular reconstruction after oncologic head and neck surgery between 2010 and 2021 included 33 patients (n = 33). Twenty patients underwent single-stage reconstruction (group 1, n = 20) and 13 patients underwent two-stage reconstruction (group 2, n = 13) with 12.2 (± 7.4) days between surgeries. The mean surgical duration, and mean start and end time of the reconstructive surgery component differed significantly (p = 0.002). The mean total complication rate (p = 0.58) did not differ significantly, although a trend toward higher demands for blood products was observed in group 1. There was no significant difference in five-year survival (p = 0.28). A questionnaire on subjective work performance was answered by the affected health care professionals (n = 34) and it revealed that 88% preferred long surgeries to be scheduled first and that 97% work most efficiently in the morning. In conclusion, two-stage reconstruction is a suitable option in selected head and neck cancer patients offering the possibility of optimizing preoperative planning and organization. This may result in regular working hours, reduced surgeon fatigue, and improved job satisfaction without compromising patient outcomes or survival.