TY - JOUR
T1 - QT interval changes following neck dissection a stratified prospective study
AU - Dellsperger, Kevin C
AU - Johnson, Jonas T.
AU - Rassekh, Christopher H.
AU - Hokanson, James A.
AU - Bollen, Bruce A.
AU - Snyderman, Carl H.
AU - Hoffman, Henry T.
PY - 1997
Y1 - 1997
N2 - Studies from Europe have suggested that neck dissection, especially right radical neck dissection, causes a dangerous prolongation of the QT interval. Sudden cardiac arrest due to QT prolongation has been reported following right radical neck dissection. We investigated the prevalence of QT interval prolongation following neck dissection. Electrocardiogram tracings from 45 patients who underwent different combinations of neck dissection were studied. Preoperative and postoperative tracings were interpreted by a cardiologist blinded to the patient identification of each tracing. There were 28 unilateral neck dissection patients and 17 bilateral neck dissection patients eligible for analysis. There were 7 patients in the classic right radical neck dissection group, and only 3 of these had no neck dissection on the left. Comparisons of preoperative versus postoperative corrected QT interval for all subjects did not indicate a significant change. Stratification by neck dissection type (radical, modified or selective, and carotid artery resection) or by side dissected (left, right, or both) also showed no significant differences. No malignant arrhythmias were encountered. Thus, in contrast to the European experience, our findings show no significant predictable change in the QT interval after any of the combinations of neck dissection. Head and neck surgeons should be aware of the possibility of postoperative QT interval prolongation following neck dissection, although in the absence of other risk factors it appears to be a rare occurrence.
AB - Studies from Europe have suggested that neck dissection, especially right radical neck dissection, causes a dangerous prolongation of the QT interval. Sudden cardiac arrest due to QT prolongation has been reported following right radical neck dissection. We investigated the prevalence of QT interval prolongation following neck dissection. Electrocardiogram tracings from 45 patients who underwent different combinations of neck dissection were studied. Preoperative and postoperative tracings were interpreted by a cardiologist blinded to the patient identification of each tracing. There were 28 unilateral neck dissection patients and 17 bilateral neck dissection patients eligible for analysis. There were 7 patients in the classic right radical neck dissection group, and only 3 of these had no neck dissection on the left. Comparisons of preoperative versus postoperative corrected QT interval for all subjects did not indicate a significant change. Stratification by neck dissection type (radical, modified or selective, and carotid artery resection) or by side dissected (left, right, or both) also showed no significant differences. No malignant arrhythmias were encountered. Thus, in contrast to the European experience, our findings show no significant predictable change in the QT interval after any of the combinations of neck dissection. Head and neck surgeons should be aware of the possibility of postoperative QT interval prolongation following neck dissection, although in the absence of other risk factors it appears to be a rare occurrence.
KW - Arrhythmia
KW - Neck dissection
KW - QT interval
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U2 - 10.1177/000348949710601011
DO - 10.1177/000348949710601011
M3 - Article
C2 - 9342985
AN - SCOPUS:0030666210
SN - 0003-4894
VL - 106
SP - 869
EP - 872
JO - Annals of Otology, Rhinology and Laryngology
JF - Annals of Otology, Rhinology and Laryngology
IS - 10 II SUPPL.
ER -