Reconstructing Perioperative Patient Education in Head and Neck Surgery

Patients undergoing extirpative oncologic and/or reconstructive head and neck surgery face complex postoperative milestones required for safe discharge. Through this quality improvement project, we evaluated our current practices in perioperative patient education and its impact on 30-day metrics. In this baseline assessment, 15 patients (mean 66 years; 60% male; 80 white; 73% with 12th grade education or higher; 60% undergoing free flap reconstruction) who underwent extensive head and neck reconstruction at a tertiary care institution between August and December 2024 were surveyed. Most (93%) were satisfied with the timing of the information received but suggested additional visual aids and information about various recovery timelines. Preliminary findings from this ongoing quality improvement project reveal a need for more comprehensive perioperative education, particularly regarding support services and side-effect management. In response, we have introduced procedure-specific educational packets and preoperative phone calls to help patients better understand and navigate the recovery process.

Level of Evidence: 4