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Postoperative Management of the Head and Neck Cancer Patient

Presented by Julie Blair

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Video Runtime: 39 Minutes, Learning Assessments: 43 Minutes

There are approximately 66,000 new cases of head and neck cancer (HNC) diagnosed each year. Speech-language pathologists play a vital role in the screening, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of persons with HNC, yet many clinicians have limited education or clinical training in head and neck cancer. This course seeks to provide detailed descriptions of the ablative and reconstructing surgeries performed, as well as the equipment and the potential complications encountered in the postoperative period. The impact on communication and swallowing will be discussed, and high risk factors will be identified.

Meet your instructor

Julie Blair

Julie Blair is a senior speech pathologist at the Medical University of South Carolina and a member of the Head and Neck Multidisciplinary Team. She holds an adjunct faculty position at the College of Health Professions, where she teaches an introductory course in head and neck cancer and provides clinical supervision for the…

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Chapters & learning objectives

Review of Head and Neck Surgeries

1. Review of Head and Neck Surgeries

This chapter will detail the types of ablative surgeries performed to resect head and neck tumors as well as the reconstructions options available. The immediate postoperative course and implications for clinical care will be highlighted.

Medical Devices Used in Head and Neck Surgery

2. Medical Devices Used in Head and Neck Surgery

This chapter will describe the various medical devices encountered in the postoperative care of the HNC patient. Communication with the managing team is imperative to minimize risks of postoperative complications. A focus will be placed on special precautions needed when evaluating communication and swallowing.

Potential Postoperative Complications

3. Potential Postoperative Complications

This chapter will identify high-risk comorbidities and their contribution to potential postoperative complications.