Impact of skeletal muscle mass on postoperative complications in oral cancer surgery.

Background: Sarcopenia is characterized by a progressive and generalized loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the impact of skeletal muscle mass on adverse events in free-flap reconstruction for defects after oral cancer resection.

Results: Of 120 patients, recipient-site adverse events occurred in 56 patients (46.7%), and recipient-site surgical site infections occurred in 45 patients (37.5%). Skeletal muscle index was significantly associated with recipient-site adverse events in univariate analysis (P < 0.05). Lower body mass index and skeletal muscle index were significantly associated with recipient-site surgical site infection in univariate analysis (P < 0.05). In the multiple logistic regression model, a lower skeletal muscle index was a significant risk factor for recipient-site adverse events and surgical site infections (adverse events odds ratio; 3.17/P = 0.04; surgical site infection odds ratio; 3.76/P = 0.02).

Conclusions: The SMI at level Th12 was an independent factor for postoperative AEs, especially SSI, in OSCC patients with free-flap reconstruction.