Serial assessment and long‐term radiographic evaluation of the maxillary sinus after inferior maxillectomy and soft tissue free flap reconstruction in patients with oral cancer.

Purpose: This study evaluates serial radiographic changes in the maxillary sinus of patients with oral cancer after an inferior maxillectomy and a soft tissue free flap reconstruction. Methods: Fifty‐six patients were evaluated between Oct 2005 and Mar 2017 from an institutional database. Preoperative and surveillance imaging was reviewed at set time‐points. Maxillary sinus scores were allotted based on a modification of the Lund–MacKay staging system. Patients were evaluated for change in sinus score. A univariate (UV) and multivariate (MV) analysis was performed. Results: There were 53.5% T3/T4 category tumors and 68% received adjuvant treatment. Median follow‐up was 24.4 months. Preoperative mean sinus score was 0.27 ± 0.44 and postoperative mean sinus score at 24 months was 1.2 ± 1.3 (p = <0.001). On UV analysis advanced T‐stage at 12 months (OR 6.7, 95% CI 1.2–50.3, p = 0.01) and 24 months (OR 5.2, 95% CI 1.03–36.8, p = 0.04) was associated with significantly higher sinus score. On MV analysis, advanced T‐stage continued to be associated with increased odds for higher sinus score (OR 4.9, 95% CI 1.1–26.8, p = 0.039). Conclusion: A mild increase in postoperative sinus score is seen in this cohort of patients. Advanced T‐stage is associated with increased odds for higher sinus scores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]