The researchers retrospectively reviewed the charts of 506 patients treated surgically for primary oral cavity squamous cell cancer at their institution. One cohort was used to develop nomograms examining 36 potential complication predictors and to determine which were statistically more likely to predict complications. From this information, the group then constructed the nomograms. The other cohort was used to validate the nomograms once they were designed.
Clinical characteristics were similar between the groups for most comparisons. The six preoperative variables with the highest individual predictive values were incorporated into the nomograms. The nomogram predicted major complications with a validated concordance index of 0.79. When they added surgical operative values, predictive accuracy was maintained at 0.77.
“What is great about nomograms is that they are a combination of being user friendly and allowing us to personalize medicine,” said Dr. Awad. “All the variables entered into consideration are specific to the individual in front of you. In theory, the information you are giving them on risk is specific to that individual patient. It is a very powerful tool.”
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