Feeding Tube Placement Following Transoral Robotic Surgery for Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Objective: To identify factors that may predict the need for feeding tubes in patients undergoing transoral robotic surgery (TORS) in the perioperative setting.

Study design: Retrospective chart review.

Setting: Academic tertiary center.

Methods: A retrospective series of patients undergoing TORS for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) was identified between October 2016 and November 2019 at a single tertiary academic center. Patient data were gathered, such as frailty information, tumor characteristics, and treatment, including need for adjuvant therapy. Multiple logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with feeding tube placement following TORS.

Results: A total of 138 patients were included in the study. The mean age was 60.2 years (range, 37-88 years) and 81.9% were male. Overall 82.9% of patients had human papilloma virus-associated tumors, while 28.3% were current or former smokers with a smoking history ≥10 pack-years. Eleven patients (8.0%) had a nasogastric or gastrostomy tube placed at some point during their treatment. Five patients (3.6%) had feeding tubes placed perioperatively (<4 weeks after TORS), of which 3 were nasogastric tubes. Six patients (4.3%) had feeding tubes placed in the periadjuvant treatment setting for multifactorial reasons; 5 of which were gastrostomy tubes. Only 1 patient (0.7%) was gastrostomy dependent 1 year after surgery. Multiple logistic regression did not demonstrate any significant predictive variables affecting perioperative feeding tube placement following TORS for OPSCC.

Conclusions: Feeding tubes are seldom required after TORS for early-stage OPSCC. With appropriate multidisciplinary planning and care, patients may reliably avoid the need for feeding tube placement following TORS for OPSCC.