title: Quality of life after oral and oropharyngeal reconstruction with a radial forearm free flap: prospective study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate quality of life (QOL) after radial forearm free flap (RFFF) reconstruction of the oral cavity and oropharynx in head and neck cancer patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Academic, tertiary referral centre.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between January 2004 and May 2005, 47 patients underwent immediate RFFF reconstruction of the oral cavity and oropharynx following ablative surgery for a previously untreated head and neck cancer 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.
  
  
  METHODS
  QOL scores obtained at the three assessment dates. Predictive factors of QOL scores at 6 months researched among the following: age, gender, comorbidity, radiotherapy, tumour stage, and tumour site.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Global QOL remained stable over time. Social and role functioning scores deteriorated significantly after treatment. Social eating and speech difficulties, trismus, and salivary problems increased significantly in the postoperative period and were among the main complaints of our patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite some functional impairment, global QOL was preserved after RFFF reconstruction following extensive ablative surgery in patients with oral and oropharyngeal cancer.
authors.affiliation: Département de Chirurgie, Institut Universitaire de la Face et du Cou, Centre Antoine-Lacassagne, 33 avenue de Valombrose, Nice 06189, France. alexandre.bozec@nice.fnclcc.fr
authors.forename: Alexandre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bozec
authors.forename: Gilles
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Poissonnet
authors.forename: Emmanuel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Chamorey
authors.forename: Cédric
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Casanova
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Laout
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vallicioni
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Demard
authors.forename: Frédéric
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Peyrade
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Follana
authors.forename: René-Jean
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Bensadoun
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Benezery
authors.forename: Juliette
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Thariat
authors.forename: Pierre-Yves
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Marcy
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sudaka
authors.forename: Patrice
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Weber
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Dassonville
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery*; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D013524:Surgical Flaps