Gilbert M D Lemmens1, Carine Poppe2, Hannelore Hendrickx3, Nathalie A Roche4, Patrick C Peeters5, Hubert F Vermeersch6, Xavier Rogiers7, Kristiane Van Lierde7, Phillip N Blondeel4. 1. Department of Psychiatry, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium (GMDL). Electronic address: gilbert.lemmens@ugent.be. 2. Department of General and Hepato-Biliary Surgery and Transplantation, Transplantation Centre, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium (CP, XR). 3. Burn Unit, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium (HH). 4. Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium (NAR, PNB). 5. Department of Nephrology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium (PCP). 6. Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium (HFV). 7. Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, University of Ghent, Ghent, Belgium (KVL).
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Quality of life has frequently been reported to improve after vascularized composite allotransplantation of the face. However, psychosocial functioning of the partner or of particular patient groups such as blind patients are until now less well investigated. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate psychologic, marital, and family functioning of a blind 54-year-old patient, Mr. A, and his partner after facial transplantation. METHODS: Depressive and anxiety symptoms, hopelessness, personality, coping, resilience, illness cognitions, marital support, dyadic adjustment, family functioning, and quality of life of Mr. A and his partner were assessed before and after facial transplantation and at 15 months follow-up. Reliable change index (RCI) was further calculated to evaluate the magnitude of change. RESULTS: Most psychologic, marital, and family scores of both Mr. A and his partner were within a normative and healthy range before and after transplant and at 15 months follow-up. Resilience (RCI: 3.6), affective responsiveness (RCI: -3.6), and disease benefits (RCI: 2.6) of Mr. A further improved at 15 months follow-up whereas the physical quality of life (RCI: -14.8) strongly decreased. Only marital support (RCI: -2.1) and depth (RCI: -2.0) of the partner decreased at 15 months. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study point to positive psychosocial outcomes in a blind patient after facial transplantation. Further, they may underscore the importance of good psychosocial functioning before transplantation of both partners and of their involvement in psychologic and psychiatric treatment. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, V.
BACKGROUND: Quality of life has frequently been reported to improve after vascularized composite allotransplantation of the face. However, psychosocial functioning of the partner or of particular patient groups such as blind patients are until now less well investigated. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate psychologic, marital, and family functioning of a blind 54-year-old patient, Mr. A, and his partner after facial transplantation. METHODS:Depressive and anxiety symptoms, hopelessness, personality, coping, resilience, illness cognitions, marital support, dyadic adjustment, family functioning, and quality of life of Mr. A and his partner were assessed before and after facial transplantation and at 15 months follow-up. Reliable change index (RCI) was further calculated to evaluate the magnitude of change. RESULTS: Most psychologic, marital, and family scores of both Mr. A and his partner were within a normative and healthy range before and after transplant and at 15 months follow-up. Resilience (RCI: 3.6), affective responsiveness (RCI: -3.6), and disease benefits (RCI: 2.6) of Mr. A further improved at 15 months follow-up whereas the physical quality of life (RCI: -14.8) strongly decreased. Only marital support (RCI: -2.1) and depth (RCI: -2.0) of the partner decreased at 15 months. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study point to positive psychosocial outcomes in a blind patient after facial transplantation. Further, they may underscore the importance of good psychosocial functioning before transplantation of both partners and of their involvement in psychologic and psychiatric treatment. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, V.
Authors: Allyson R Alfonso; Elie P Ramly; Rami S Kantar; William J Rifkin; J Rodrigo Diaz-Siso; Bruce E Gelb; Joseph S Yeh; Mark F Espina; Sudheer K Jain; Greta L Piper; Eduardo D Rodriguez Journal: Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open Date: 2020-08-17
Authors: Gustave K Diep; Zoe P Berman; Allyson R Alfonso; Elie P Ramly; Daniel Boczar; Jorge Trilles; Ricardo Rodriguez Colon; Bachar F Chaya; Eduardo D Rodriguez Journal: Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open Date: 2021-05-21