Quality of life in patients with maxillectomy prostheses.
BACKGROUND
This cross-sectional study sought to determine patient quality of life and function after prosthetic rehabilitation for maxillary and palate defects following cancer resection.


METHODS
Sixty-nine patients were identified, 42 participated in the study (61%). The Obturator Functioning Scale (OFS) and 4 general quality of life measures (Mental Health Inventory [MHI], Impact of Events Scale [IES], Illness Intrusiveness Ratings Scale [IIRS], and Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale [CES-D]) were correlated with clinical parameters.


RESULTS
Leakage when swallowing foods was the most frequently reported problem with the obturator (29%). Positive correlation was noted between the OFS and both the IES subscales (p < .01) and CES-D (p < .001). Difficulty with speech and eating was associated with increased avoidance of social situations. The surgical approach had a significant effect on the OFS, IES, and MHI subscales (p < .01).


CONCLUSIONS
These results support the findings that good obturator function is associated with a better quality of life.
Irish
Jonathan
J
Department of Otolaryngology-Surgical Oncology, Princess Margaret Hospital, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. jonathan.irish@uhn.on.ca
Sandhu
Nimani
N
Simpson
Colleen
C
Wood
Robert
R
Gilbert
Ralph
R
Gullane
Patrick
P
Brown
Dale
D
Goldstein
David
D
Devins
Gerald
G
Barker
Emma
E
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008437:Maxilla / Q000601:surgery*; D008441:Maxillary Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D008447:Maxillofacial Prosthesis / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000379:methods; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011336:Probability; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation; D011788:Quality of Life; D018570:Risk Assessment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult