Abstract | PURPOSE: Treatment of head and neck cancers (HNC) often leads to impairment in speech and swallowing functions. This study evaluated swallowing problems and the impact of complications on swallowing-related QOL after free flap surgery for HNC. METHODS: Swallowing-related QOL was assessed using MDADI and SWAL questionnaires. RESULTS: Of 45 assessed patients, 25 (45.5%) had at least one postoperative complication. Patients reported less than < 86 points in 8/9 SWAL-QOL domains. The SWAL-QL total score or MDADI composite scores were not related to surgical complications. Those with medical complications had lower scores in SWAL-QOL domains of mental health (82.8 (21.8) vs 65.5 (24.2), p = 0.024) and sleep (77.6 (23.0) vs 52.3 (24.3), p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, swallowing related QOL is significantly impaired after 2 years of the tumor resection and free flap reconstruction for cancer of the head and neck, when using the cut-off value of 86 points in SWAL-QOL assessment tool. Surgical complications did not have an impact on swallowing-related QOL but medical complications were related to impairment in general QOL-related domains.
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Authors | Sanna Lahtinen, Petri Koivunen, Tero Ala-Kokko, Outi Kaarela, Päivi Laurila, Janne H Liisanantti |
Journal | European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
(Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol)
Vol. 276
Issue 3
Pg. 821-826
(Mar 2019)
ISSN: 1434-4726 [Electronic] Germany |
PMID | 30593593
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Topics |
- Aged
- Deglutition
- Deglutition Disorders
(etiology)
- Female
- Free Tissue Flaps
- Head and Neck Neoplasms
(physiopathology, surgery)
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Postoperative Complications
(etiology, physiopathology)
- Quality of Life
- Speech
- Surveys and Questionnaires
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