Sanna Lahtinen1,2,3, Petri Koivunen4, Tero Ala-Kokko5, Päivi Laurila5,6, Outi Kaarela7, Janne H Liisanantti5,6. 1. Research Group of Surgery, Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Division of Intensive Care, Oulu University Hospital, Medical Research Center, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland. sanna.lahtinen@ppshp.fi. 2. Research Group of Surgery, Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care and Department of Surgery, Oulu University Hospital, Medical Research Center, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland. sanna.lahtinen@ppshp.fi. 3. Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Oulu University Hospital, P.O. Box 21, 90029, Oulu, Finland. sanna.lahtinen@ppshp.fi. 4. PEDEGO Research Unit, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck, Oulu University Hospital, Medical Research Center, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland. 5. Research Group of Surgery, Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Division of Intensive Care, Oulu University Hospital, Medical Research Center, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland. 6. Research Group of Surgery, Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care and Department of Surgery, Oulu University Hospital, Medical Research Center, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland. 7. Division of Operative Care, Oulu University Hospital, Medical Research Center, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Despite advances in surgical techniques, postoperative complications are frequent after free flap surgery for cancer of the head and neck. The present study assessed quality of life (QOL) in patients with and without postoperative complications. METHODS: QOL was evaluated using RAND-36, EORTC-C30 and H&N-35, and UW-QOL questionnaires. RESULTS: Of 53 assessed patients, 29 (54.7%) had at least one complication. Those with medical complications (n = 12, 22.6%) had significantly lower QOL in all domains of RAND-36 except emotional well-being. They also reported lower scores in EORTC-C30 domains of financial difficulties, pain, and insomnia and UW-QOL domains of pain, activity, and recreation. The QOL for patients without complications was comparable to the general population. CONCLUSION: QOL after free flap surgery for cancer of the head and neck is reduced in patients with postoperative medical complications.
BACKGROUND: Despite advances in surgical techniques, postoperative complications are frequent after free flap surgery for cancer of the head and neck. The present study assessed quality of life (QOL) in patients with and without postoperative complications. METHODS: QOL was evaluated using RAND-36, EORTC-C30 and H&N-35, and UW-QOL questionnaires. RESULTS: Of 53 assessed patients, 29 (54.7%) had at least one complication. Those with medical complications (n = 12, 22.6%) had significantly lower QOL in all domains of RAND-36 except emotional well-being. They also reported lower scores in EORTC-C30 domains of financial difficulties, pain, and insomnia and UW-QOL domains of pain, activity, and recreation. The QOL for patients without complications was comparable to the general population. CONCLUSION: QOL after free flap surgery for cancer of the head and neck is reduced in patients with postoperative medical complications.
Entities:
Keywords:
Cancer of the head and neck; Free flap surgery; Postoperative complications; Quality of life
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