An analysis of postoperative complications and associated risk factors in the surgical management of oral and maxillofacial tumors and tumor-like lesions at a Tanzanian tertiary referral center

Introduction: Surgical management is the primary treatment for many pathological lesions of the orofacial region. Despite advances in technique and perioperative care, postoperative complications remain a major determinant of treatment outcomes. This study assessed the incidence, characteristics, and risk factors for postoperative complications among patients undergoing surgery for oral and maxillofacial tumors and tumor-like lesions in a tertiary hospital in Tanzania.
Methodology: This was an analytical prospective hospital-based study carried out at the Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) between April 2022 and March 2023. It included all patients managed surgically for the tumor and tumor-like lesions involving the oral and maxillofacial region. 
Results: A total of 132 patients, with 29 different types of tumors and tumor-like lesions, were managed during the study period. Most procedures (56.8%) were non-ablative. Immediate, intermediate, and late post-operative complications occurred in 67.2%, 12.1%, and 10.6% of patients, respectively. Male patients had higher odds of immediate complications, whereas female patients had increased odds of late complications. Malignancy (AOR = 26.44; 95% CI 2.71–258.2; p = 0.005) and operative duration exceeding 2 hours (AOR = 6.62; 95% CI 1.26–34.88; p = 0.026) were independently associated with intermediate complications.
Conclusion: Immediate post-operative complications are the most Conclusion common following head and neck surgery, while intermediate and late complications are less frequent. Patient sex influenced the development of immediate and late complications, whereas malignancy and prolonged operative duration were key predictors of intermediate post-operative complications.