Effects of tracheostomy on well-being and body-image perceptions.
OBJECTIVE
Quality of life after tracheostomy was addressed by measuring its impact on well being and body image perceptions.


METHODS
A controlled study in a laryngotracheal clinic of a tertiary referral center. Three groups were studied: 24 cannulated, 19 decannulated, and 20 noncannulated patients. They filled up 3 conventional questionnaires.


RESULTS
(1) Satisfaction-with-life scale: reduced scores were detected between cannulated and noncannulated patients. (2) Personality traits: neuroticism and extroversion: no differences were noted. (3) Body cathexis scale: both cannulated and decannulated patients scored less than noncannulated. In tracheostomy-specific issues, decannulated patients scored better than cannulated patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Reduced scores after tracheostomy indicate an overall diminished quality of life. These changes correlate with personality traits. Decannulated patients exhibited only slight improvement indicating an incomplete psychosocial recovery.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first report on tracheostomy related quality of life in noncancer patients conducted with specific psychological questionnaires.
Gilony
Dror
D
Department of Otorhinolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery, Tel Hashomer and Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Israel. drorgil@zahav.net.il
Gilboa
Dalia
D
Blumstein
Tzvia
T
Murad
Havi
H
Talmi
Yoav P
YP
Kronenberg
Jona
J
Wolf
Michael
M
D001828:Body Image; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014139:Tracheostomy / Q000523:psychology*; D014832:Voice Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D014833:Voice Quality