Prognostic value of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and malnutrition status on postoperative complications in patients following laryngectomy with neck dissection.

Background: Postoperative complications (PCs) following total laryngectomy remain a significant challenge, with recent investigations directed toward the impact of nutrition status and vitamin D deficiency.

Objectives: To elucidate the association between preoperative vitamin D level status, malnutrition risk score, and surgical and survival outcomes in patients with advanced laryngeal cancer following total laryngectomy.

Study Design: Prospective cohort study.

Methods: Sixty-four patients with advanced laryngeal carcinoma treated with total laryngectomy were included in the study. Serum levels of 25(OH) D were measured employing a commercial chemiluminescent immunoassay kit, while nutrition status was evaluated using the nutrition risk index (NRI) and Malnutrition universal screening tool (MUST).

Results: The mean serum 25(OH) D level was 37.1 ± 19.4 nmol/L (range 11.0-100.6 nmol/L), with 47% of patients exhibiting vitamin D deficiency and 31% displaying insufficiency. Medium/high MUST score had 53% of patients, and moderate/severe NRI was verified in 48% of patients. Univariate logistic regression analysis identified MUST score, GPS score, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and circulating 25(OH) D levels as predictive for the occurrence of PCs. In multivariate analysis, MUST score and circulating 25(OH) D levels remained significantly associated with PCs. Patients with high nutrition risk had significantly lower two-year OS rates compared to the medium and low nutrition risk groups, respectively (30% vs. 62% and 83%, p = 0.010).

Conclusion: Early identification of malnourished or patients with vitamin D deficiency and those who would benefit from specific nutritional support could be beneficial for minimizing the risk of development of surgical complications and help improve our clinical outcomes.