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

Junpeng Chen, Qiuyun Yao, Xirui Wang, Jinpeng Jiang, Huiyong Zhu, Dan Yu Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Dan Yu, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 79 Qingchun Road, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, 310003, People’s Republic of China, Tel/Fax, Email [email protected]: 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