Implementation of Submandibular Gland Transfer: A Multi‐institutional Study of Feasibility and Time to Treatment

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-5-2019

Publication Title

Head and Neck

First page number:

1

Last page number:

8

Abstract

Background Submandibular gland transfer (SMGT) mitigates radiation‐induced xerostomia but has yet to be widely adopted. We evaluate the feasibility of incorporating SMGT at multiple academic institutions and report the incidence of treatment delay. Methods Forty‐nine patients were identified who underwent SMGT. Time points pertaining to diagnosis and key treatment events including SMGT, surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation were extracted. Treatment delay was defined as either >60 days from diagnosis to definitive therapy or >6 weeks between surgery and adjuvant therapy. Results Median time from diagnosis to primary treatment was 42 days (IQR, 32‐54). Median time from surgery to adjuvant therapy was 33 days (IQR, 28‐47). Delay in starting treatment was observed in 7/49 patients (14%). Six patients incurred a delay in postoperative radiation therapy (6/19; 32%). Conclusions With appropriate care coordination, SMGT can be implemented into a clinical pathway with a goal of decreasing radiation‐induced xerostomia without increasing treatment delays.

Keywords

Head and neck cancer; Radiation; Salivary gland; Submandibular gland transfer; Xerostomia

Disciplines

Otolaryngology

Language

English

UNLV article access

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