Significance of Multidisciplinary Teams for Patients with Oral and Maxillofacial Surgical Diseases: An Observational Retrospective Study in a General Hospital in China

Objective: The multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach is increasingly being utilized in the management of complex head and neck diseases. This study analyzed the benefits of MDT for patients with head and neck diseases as primary or secondary conditions and categorized MDT meetings into two types: head and neck surgery initiation (HNI) and head and neck surgery participation (HNP). The study further explored the characteristics of these MDT meetings and the factors influencing patient compliance, aiming to optimize MDT treatment models to maximize patient benefits.

Design: Retrospective analysis.

Methods: MDT meetings from January 2021 to December 2023 were reviewed. The meetings and patients were classified into the HNI group and the HNP group. Various factors, including general patient conditions, disease characteristics et al were analyzed using chi-square tests and point biserial correlation tests. P-values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results: A total of 292 MDT cases were analyzed, comprising 127 cases in the HNI group and 165 cases in the HNP group. In the HNI group, the initial diagnosis was modified in 11 cases (8.7%), with 92 patients (72.4%) receiving major recommendations for their treatment plans. In the HNP group, the initial diagnosis was modified in 28 cases (17.0%). The head and neck surgeons had a major impact on treatment plans in 47 cases (28.5%). Notably, patients with head and neck tumors received more major recommendations (p<0.05) in the HIN group, and patients who had tumors (p<0.05) and from outpatient departments (p<0.05) exhibited poor compliance with recommendations.

Conclusion: The MDT approach in general hospitals has improved the rationality of medical decision-making, especially in rare diseases, tumors, and systematic conditions compared to MDT in a single center, with head and neck surgeons playing vital roles. MDT models can be further explored and established.