Clinical outcome and health-related quality-of-life following microsurgical reconstruction in patients with oral and oropharyngeal cancer. (4th May 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Al-Hayder, Shems; Elberg, Jens Jørgen; Charabi, Birgitte
• Is Part Of: Acta oto-laryngologica. Volume 137:Number 5(2017)
• Page Start: 541
• Page End: 545
• Publication Date: 2017-05-04
• Subjects: Head and neck neoplasms -- free tissue flaps -- post-operative complications -- quality-of-life; Otolaryngology -- Periodicals; Ear -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Throat -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Otolaryngology -- Electronic Resources; Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases; 617.8
• DOI: 10.1080/00016489.2016.1249945
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0001-6489

Abstract

Abstract: Conclusion: Radial forearm free flap (RFFF) and fibula free flap (FFF) provide high safety and reliability with low incidence of free flap failure and an acceptable level of complications and health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL). Objectives: To determine the clinical outcomes and long-term HRQoL in patients with oral or oropharyngeal cancer following free flap reconstruction. Methods: A retrospective review of medical records and self-administered HRQoL questionnaires, EORTC QLQ-C30, and -H&N35. All patients who underwent surgery for oral or oropharyngeal cancer followed by primary reconstruction by RFFF or FFF at Rigshospitalet between September 2001 and November 2011 were included. Results: The study comprised 19 patients still alive out of 61 patients. The free flap success rate was 94.7%. Early post-operative complications occurred in 11 patients (57.9%); however, only three cases (15.8%) required re-surgery. Nine patients (47.4%) developed late complications, including mandibular osteoradionecrosis in six cases (31.6%). Most patients obtained acceptable values of global quality-of-life and relatively high scores on the functional scales.