Potential for health care cost savings with preoperative gastrostomy tube placement in the head and neck cancer population.

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the cost differences between preoperative and postoperative placement of gastrostomy tubes (G-tubes) in patients with head and neck cancer.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients with aerodigestive tract cancers from 2010 to 2015. Data included inpatient and postdischarge costs, demographics, tumor characteristics, surgical treatment, length of stay (LOS), time spent in the intensive care unit (ICU), and readmissions.