Salvage surgery for recurrent oropharyngeal cancer: post-operative oncologic and functional outcomes

A total of 34 patients were included in this study. Local and general post-operative complication rates were 26% and 27%, respectively. A high level of comorbidity (Kaplan Feinstein Index: KFI ≥ 2) was the only factor associated with a higher risk of local (p = 0.03) and general (p = 0.04) complications. OS and SS rates at 3 years were 48% and 61%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, pathologic overall stage ≥ III was a significant predictor of OS (p = 0.02) and pathologic T-stage ≥ 3 was a significant predictor of SS (p = 0.01). Mean pre-operative and post-operative DOSS (dysphagia outcome and severity scale) scores were 4.4 and 3.9, respectively.