Factors Driving Early G-Tube Placement in HNC

Background: Gastrostomy tube (G-tube) placement in head and neck cancer (HNC) is often reactive, and there is no clear indication for who will require one. A reactive approach generally leads to longer stays and higher costs. Objective: To identify the risk factors that influence the requirement for G-tube placement in HNC patients during the initial hospitalization. Design: Single-institution retrospective study. Methods: Patients with HNC who underwent reconstruction and resection between 2017 and 2022 were identified. Patients who underwent G-tube placement were identified, as were tumor subsite, patient characteristics, and treatments. Results: 145 patients who had a G-tube placement were identified, of which 55% had oral cavity cancer and 31% had laryngeal cancer. Oral, oropharyngeal, and hypopharyngeal tumors required G tubes. Oropharyngeal tumors (hazard ratio [HR], 2.42) had a statistically significantly higher rate of G tubes, and laryngeal tumors had a lower rate (HR, 0.16) more...