Abstract: PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical characteristics and related risk factors of postoperative acute pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) in patients with head and neck cancer. METHODS: Sixty-five patients who underwent radical surgery for head and neck malignancies were prospectively included, and data related to patients' basic characteristics, operation time, bed rest, coagulation function, deep vein thrombosis and the occurrence and management of PTE were recorded to investigate the correlation between the above indicators and the occurrence of PTE after radical surgery for head and neck malignancies. SPSS 25.0 software package was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Among 65 patients, 18 (27.7%) were diagnosed with PTE by pulmonary CTA and other related examinations, 3 (4.6%) had obvious clinical symptoms of PTE. Dyspnea, chest pain, and cough were the main clinical symptoms of PTE patients, and tachycardia, decreased oxygen saturation, increased respiratory rate and respiratory rales were the most common signs in PTE patients. The highest postoperative D-dimer and prolonged bed rest are important risk factors for the occurrence of PTE after radical surgery for head and neck malignancy. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of acute PTE in the perioperative period after radical head and neck malignancy is high, with clinical manifestations and signs lacking specificity. Early diagnosis and early intervention for patients with PTE are important steps in improving prognosis.

Key words: Head and neck neoplasms, Pulmonary embolism, Venous thromboembolism, Preoperative period, Postoperative complications