Free-flap head and neck reconstruction and quality of life: a 2-year prospective study.
OBJECTIVE
This prospective study was designed to evaluate quality of life (QOL) after free-flap head and neck reconstruction.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
: Between January 2004 and December 2005, a total of 95 patients underwent microvascular reconstruction of the head and neck at our Institution (Centre Antoine-Lacassagne, Nice, France) and were initially included in this study. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Core Quality of Life Questionnaire and the EORTC Head and Neck Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire were completed before surgery, and at 6 and 12 months thereafter. Sixty-five patients completed the questionnaires on at least two of the assessment dates. Predictive factors of Quality of Life (QOL) scores at 6 months were researched among the following: age, sex, comorbidity, radiotherapy, tumor recurrence, tumor stage, and type of surgery.


RESULTS
Global QOL remained stable over time. Physical, social, and role functioning deteriorated significantly after treatment. Pain decreased markedly. Social eating, senses, and speech difficulties increased significantly at 6 months, but stabilized between 6 and 12 months. Problems concerning mouth opening and social contact augmented progressively until the 12th postoperative month. Sex, type of surgery, and radiotherapy were the main factors influencing QOL 6 months after treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite some functional impairments, global QOL was preserved after major head and neck ablative surgery and microvascular free-flap reconstruction.
Bozec
Alexandre
A
Département de chirurgie, , Institut Universitaire de la Face et du Cou, Centre Antoine Lacassagne, Nice, France. alexandre.bozec@nice.fnclcc.fr
Poissonnet
Gilles
G
Chamorey
Emmanuel
E
Casanova
Cédric
C
Vallicioni
Jacques
J
Demard
François
F
Mahdyoun
Pouya
P
Peyrade
Frédéric
F
Follana
Philippe
P
Bensadoun
René-Jean
RJ
Benezery
Karen
K
Thariat
Juliette
J
Marcy
Pierre-Yves
PY
Sudaka
Anne
A
Dassonville
Olivier
O
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000523:psychology* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D010255:Paranasal Sinus Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D013065:Speech Intelligibility; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors