@article{VollmerNaglerHoerneretal.2023,
  author    = {Vollmer, Andreas and Nagler, Simon and H{\"o}rner, Marius and Hartmann, Stefan and Brands, Roman C. and Breitenb{\"u}cher, Niko and Straub, Anton and K{\"u}bler, Alexander and Vollmer, Michael and Gubik, Sebastian and Lang, Gernot and Wollborn, Jakob and Saravi, Babak},
  title     = {Performance of artificial intelligence-based algorithms to predict prolonged length of stay after head and neck cancer surgery},
  series = {Heliyon},
  volume    = {9},
  journal   = {Heliyon},
  number    = {11},
  issn      = {2405-8440},
  doi       = {10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e20752},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-350416},
  year      = {2023},
  abstract  = {Background Medical resource management can be improved by assessing the likelihood of prolonged length of stay (LOS) for head and neck cancer surgery patients. The objective of this study was to develop predictive models that could be used to determine whether a patient's LOS after cancer surgery falls within the normal range of the cohort. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of a dataset consisting of 300 consecutive patients who underwent head and neck cancer surgery between 2017 and 2022 at a single university medical center. Prolonged LOS was defined as LOS exceeding the 75th percentile of the cohort. Feature importance analysis was performed to evaluate the most important predictors for prolonged LOS. We then constructed 7 machine learning and deep learning algorithms for the prediction modeling of prolonged LOS. Results The algorithms reached accuracy values of 75.40 (radial basis function neural network) to 97.92 (Random Trees) for the training set and 64.90 (multilayer perceptron neural network) to 84.14 (Random Trees) for the testing set. The leading parameters predicting prolonged LOS were operation time, ischemia time, the graft used, the ASA score, the intensive care stay, and the pathological stages. The results revealed that patients who had a higher number of harvested lymph nodes (LN) had a lower probability of recurrence but also a greater LOS. However, patients with prolonged LOS were also at greater risk of recurrence, particularly when fewer (LN) were extracted. Further, LOS was more strongly correlated with the overall number of extracted lymph nodes than with the number of positive lymph nodes or the ratio of positive to overall extracted lymph nodes, indicating that particularly unnecessary lymph node extraction might be associated with prolonged LOS. Conclusions The results emphasize the need for a closer follow-up of patients who experience prolonged LOS. Prospective trials are warranted to validate the present results.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{WinterSchulzSchmitteretal.2023,
  author    = {Winter, Anna and Schulz, Stefan M. and Schmitter, Marc and M{\"u}ller-Richter, Urs and K{\"u}bler, Alexander and Kasper, Sylvia and Hartmann, Stefan},
  title     = {Comprehensive geriatric assessment and quality of life aspects in patients with recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC)},
  series = {Journal of Clinical Medicine},
  volume    = {12},
  journal   = {Journal of Clinical Medicine},
  number    = {17},
  issn      = {2077-0383},
  doi       = {10.3390/jcm12175738},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-363096},
  year      = {2023},
  abstract  = {To define frailty in older cancer patients, the aim of this study was to assess the geriatric status and quality of life (QoL) aspects in patients suffering from recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (r/m HNSCC) under palliative treatment. A comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) was performed on 21 r/m HNSCC patients at two defined assessments, and the QoL aspects and the impact of descriptive data were evaluated. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Spearman's rho correlation, and two-way mixed ANOVA were used for statistical analysis. All patients were found to be "frail". Pain, fatigue, and the burden of illness were the highest-rated symptoms. Oral function and orofacial appearance were highly impaired. A significant impact of descriptive data on the CGA and QoL results was found (all p ≤ 0.05). Thus, the CGA results revealed high frailty, severe comorbidities, and high impairments in QoL aspects. The CGA and QoL results were negatively affected by the primary HNSCC treatment approach, the need for prosthetic treatment, and worse oral functional capacity. Therefore, frailty in r/m HNSCC patients seems to be multidimensional. The evaluation of the CGA and QoL aspects in r/m HNSCC patients can be recommended to detect special needs, organize aftercare, and improve the support for frail and vulnerable cancer patients to create a multidisciplinary treatment approach.},
  language  = {en}
}