Abstract
BackgroundThis study investigated the quality of life of Chinese patients with tongue cancer who had undergone immediate flap reconstruction surgery. In addition, we compared 2 groups of patients: those who had received radial forearm free flap (RFFF) surgery and others who had received pectoralis major myocutaneous flap (PMMF) surgery.Material and MethodsPatients who received RFFF or PMMF reconstruction after primary tongue cancer treated with total and subtotal tongue resection were eligible for the current study. The patients’ demographic data, medical history, and quality of life scores (14-item Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) and the University of Washington Quality of Life (UW-QOL) questionnaires) were collected.ResultsA total of 41 of 63 questionnaires were returned (65.08%). There were significant differences between the 2 groups in the gender (p< .05). Patients reconstructed with RFFF performed better in the shoulder domains, in addition to worse appearance domains.ConclusionsUsing either RFFF or PMMF for reconstruction of defects after tongue cancer resection significantly influences a patient’s quality of life. Data from this study provide useful information for physicians and patients during their discussion of reconstruction modalities for tongue cancers. Key words:Quality of life, radial forearm free flaps, pectoralis major myocutaneous flap, tongue cancer, oral function.
Highlights
Soft-tissue reconstruction of the oral cavity, and in particular the tongue, that is the most critical factor in achieving a successful functional result
Few studies have evaluated the differences in quality of life between patients with tongue cancers reconstructed with pectoralis major myocutaneous flap (PMMF) compared with those who underwent radial forearm free flap (RFFF)
UW-Quality of life (QOL): In regard to the average scores of global QOL, no significant difference was found between the 2 groups (PMMF VS RFFF, 54.36±8.13vs55.14±9.24, p=0.965)
Summary
Soft-tissue reconstruction of the oral cavity, and in particular the tongue, that is the most critical factor in achieving a successful functional result. Quality of life (QOL) has become an increasingly important out-come measure for patients being treated for many illnesses, as it reflects a patient’s general sense of wellbeing. Few studies have evaluated the differences in quality of life between patients with tongue cancers reconstructed with PMMF compared with those who underwent RFFF. The aim of this study was to compare the differences between PMMF and RFFF for the reconstruction of the oral cavity defect in tongue cancer patients. We compared 2 groups of patients: those who had received radial forearm free flap (RFFF) surgery and others who had received pectoralis major myocutaneous flap (PMMF) surgery. Material and Methods: Patients who received RFFF or PMMF reconstruction after primary tongue cancer treated with total and subtotal tongue resection were eligible for the current study. Data from this study provide useful information for physicians and patients during their discussion of reconstruction modalities for tongue cancers
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