title: Quality of life of patients with segmental mandibular resection and immediate reconstruction with plates.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The surgical management of some head-and-neck pathology affects a patient's form and fundamental function and, eventually, the quality of the individual's daily life. Restoring mandibular continuity after resection will improve form, function, and eventually, quality of life (QOL). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of our limited restoration with immediate plate reconstruction after segmental mandibular resection on the QOL of patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 13 patients were included in the study. They were treated for benign but aggressive mandibular pathology. Treatment included segmental mandibular resection with immediate plate reconstruction. A modified University of Washington QOL questionnaire was used to assess QOL. Data on clinico-dermographic variables were also collated. A total of 17 surgeries were undertaken, with 16 implants placed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients with smaller tumors seemed to have better QOL scores than those with larger tumors. The overall QOL scores for younger patients seemed better than those of older patients. Spontaneous regeneration of the mandible, occurring in our younger patients, was an added reason for this seemingly better QOL.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with segmental mandibulectomy and spontaneous mandibular regeneration tended to have a better QOL than those with no reconstruction and immediate plate reconstruction.
authors.affiliation: Dental Department, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria. tuoyook@yahoo.co.uk
authors.forename: Eyituoyo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Okoturo
authors.forename: Olabode
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ogunbanjo
authors.forename: Aliru
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Akinleye
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bardi
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect / Q000502:physiology; D000367:Age Factors; D001860:Bone Plates / Q000523:psychology*; D001861:Bone Regeneration / Q000502:physiology; D002648:Child; D003679:Deglutition / Q000502:physiology; D004955:Esthetics, Dental; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery*; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000601:surgery; D008339:Mandibular Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D008341:Mandibular Prosthesis / Q000523:psychology*; D008409:Mastication / Q000502:physiology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011788:Quality of Life; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000523:psychology*; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology; D011998:Recreation; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism; D013060:Speech / Q000502:physiology; D013649:Taste / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult