Depression following laryngectomy. A pilot study.
When a group of 10 patients who had received surgery for carcinoma of the larynx were compared with 10 control patients who had received radiotherapy for carcinoma of the larynx, four of the former but none of the latter were found to be suffering from depression, a statistically significant difference. Depression was associated with poor communication skills and geographical isolation. Psychiatric intervention is recommended for patients undergoing mutilating forms of surgery.
Byrne
A
A
Alberta Hospital Ponoka, University of Alberta, Canada.
Walsh
M
M
Farrelly
M
M
O'Driscoll
K
K
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003142:Communication; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007825:Laryngectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012934:Social Isolation