NATIONAL JOURNAL OF MEDICAL RESEARCH print ISSN: 2249 4995│eISSN: 2277 8810 NJMR│Volume 10│Issue 3│July –Sept 2020 Page 153 Original Article Intraoperative Blood Loss in Head and Neck Cancer Operations: A Retrospective Observational Study in a Tertiary Care Surgical Oncology Center in Central India Sandeep Ghosh 1 , Sanjay Desai 2 , Vinod Dhakad 3 , Bonny Joseph 1 , Elroy Saldanha 1 , Dhruv Patel 1 Authors’ affiliations: 1 Senior Resident; 2 Prof. and HOD; 3 Assistant Professor, Department of Surgical Oncology, Sri Aurobindo Medical College and PG Institute. Correspondence: Dr. Sanjay Desai, Email: drsanjaydesaioncologist@gmail.com ABSTRACT Introduction: Head and Neck cancer surgical operations are often associated with major blood loss requiring substitution, usually by homologous blood transfusion. The goal of this study is to retrospectively examine the intraoperative blood loss for the various types of Head and Neck surgical procedures in a tertiary care center in Central India. Methodology: Head and neck cancer cases were analysed in this retrospective observational study at De- partment of Surgical oncology at Sri Aurobindo Institute of Medical Science, Indore.100 biopsy proven oral cancer patients who underwent curative surgery were included in the study. Intraoperative blood loss was as- sessed depending on site of disease, type of procedure and T-stage of disease and its implication on post- operative hospital stay was noted. Result: A total of 100 oral cancer patients were analysed out of which majority of patients (36) were Ca buc- cal mucosa (36%). Blood loss intraoperatively was calculated by using visual assessment method. Average In- traoperative Blood loss was more in Ca buccal mucosa cases (536.11 ml). Average blood loss was more in in- frastructural maxillectomyand also when superior alveolectomy was combined with hemimandiblectomy or segmental mandibulectomy, also blood loss was more for T4a disease compared to T1-T3. 30 out of 43 pa- tients with blood loss >400mlhad prolonged hospital stay of more than 7 days with an average of 12 days post-operative hospital stay. This difference in hospital stay was statistically significant. Conclusion: It is of paramount importance to achieve adequate and meticulous intra-operative haemostasis in oral cancer surgeries in order to decrease the post-operative stay of the patient which will also decrease the economical burden of the patient and family. Key words: oral cancer, blood loss, hospital stay, head and neck cancer INTRODUCTION Head-and-neck cancers (HNCs) are the sixth most common malignancy worldwide. Approximately, half of the reported head and neck malignancies are oral cavity squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs), with an es- timated 300,000 new cases every year globally. 1 Oral cancer (OC) is a common cancer in the Southeast Asia region. According to the National Cancer Regis- try Programme of India, among males, Ahmedabad Urban Cancer Registry and East Khasi Hills Cancer Registry in females have recorded the highest age- adjusted incidence rates of OC. 2 This higher preva- lence of OC may be attributed to the high consump- tion of areca nut and tobacco in any form in these regions. Head and Neck cancer surgical operations are often associated with major blood loss requiring substitu- tion, usually by homologous blood transfusion. The goal of this study is to retrospectively examine the in- traoperative blood loss for the various types of Head and Neck surgical procedures in a tertiary care center in Central India. METHODS Head and neck cancer cases were analysed in this ret- rospective observational study at Department of Surgical oncology at Sri Aurobindo Institute of Med- ical Science, Indore. 100 biopsy proven oral cancer patients who underwent curative surgery were in- cluded in the study. Intraoperative blood loss was as- sessed depending on site of disease, type of proce- dure and T-stage of disease and its implication on post-operative hospital stay was noted. Statistical analysis: Data were analysed by using IN- STAT software (Graphpad prism software, Inc,. La