Tracheostomy Management in Oral and Oropharyngeal Carcinoma Patients: A Retrospective Study from a Multidisciplinary Protocol Approach

Abstract To analyse factors influencing tracheostomy deccanulation duration in oral and oropharyngeal carcinoma patients undergoing surgery. The study evaluates the impact of patient demographics, tumor characteristics, surgical resections, and postoperative complication on tracheostomy management and decannulation outcomes.A retrospective observational study analyzing tracheostomy decannulation in oral and oropharyngeal carcinoma patients. The study was conducted at Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya Cancer Centre (MPMMCC), Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India, a high-volume oncology center specializing in head and neck cancer treatment. A total of 90 oral and oropharyngeal carcinoma patients who underwent surgery with intraoperative tracheostomy between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2023, were retrospectively analysed. Patients were included if they had no prior oncologic treatment and had complete records documenting demographics, tumor characteristics, surgical details, tracheostomy management, and swallowing status. Mean, median, and statistical significance (p-value) were used for analysis. Tracheostomy decannulation duration varied significantly based on surgical resection type ( p < 0.000 for tongue resection; p = 0.013 for maxillary reconstruction) and patient comorbidities. Flap failure, delayed wound healing, and bulky reconstruction contributed to longer decannulation times. Patients undergoing midline/lateral mandibulectomies had shorter decannulation times, while tongue base resection required prolonged airway management. No significant differences were found based on age. This manuscript has not been presented at any conference or meeting.