Cosmetic and functional results after resection of cutaneous neurofibroma in neurofibromatosistype1 : Operation of neurofibroma improves quality of life while having moderate complications

Abstract

Neurofibromatosis type1, also known as Recklinghausen's disease, is aneurocutaneous tumor syndrome that is genetically determined and is associated with infestation of the integument with neurofibromas (nerve sheath tumors). The occurrence of neurofibromas can be very stressful for patients and often contributes to areduced quality of life for patients, especially if externally visible body parts are affected. The aim of this study is to show to what extent the resection of cutaneous neurofibromas can improve patients' quality of life. For this study, we conducted aretrospective data collection via questionnaire on the quality of life before and after the surgical removal of cutaneous neurofibromas at the Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Tübingen. An adapted dermatological quality of life index and apostoperative questionnaire on patient satisfaction were used. In addition, patient data were taken from doctor's notes, surgical reports, and outpatient documentation. Atotal of 30patients with neurofibromatosis type1 who underwent inpatient or outpatient surgery for cutaneous neurofibromas at the Tübingen dermatology hospital between 2016 and 2020 were surveyed. The survey results were statistically analyzed and represented as absolute and relative frequencies. Our study indicates an improved quality of life after surgery for cutaneous neurofibromas, especially regarding limitations in everyday life, self-consciousness, the choice of clothing, and leisure activities. The majority of our patients showed no new occurrence of neurofibromas in the surgical area and postoperative bleeding or wound infections were rare. In relation to the high level of satisfaction with the surgical and cosmetic results and also the positive influence on quality of life, our study indicates afavorable risk-benefit ratio for the resection of cutaneous neurofibromas in neurofibromatosisI.