• 3/4/2007
  • Barcelona, Spain
  • Bruce Sylvester
  • Doctor’s Guide (www.docguide.com)

Free-flap reconstruction following head and neck cancer surgery produces acceptable quality-of-life outcomes, researchers reported here at the International Meeting on Innovative Approaches in Head and Neck Oncology, sponsored by the European Head and Neck Society and the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (EHNS-ESTRO).

“While the outcomes were acceptable, clearly new reconstructive procedures are also needed,” said lead investigator and presenter Gilles Poissonnet, MD, surgeon, Centre Antoine Lacassagne, Nice, France, in an oral session here on February 24th.

Dr. Poissonnet and colleagues enrolled 65 consecutive patients who underwent head and neck reconstructive surgery with free flaps between 2004 and 2005.

Before surgery and both 6 months and 12 months after surgery, subjects completed 2 questionnaires — the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer quality-of-life questionnaires (QLQ-C30 and QLQ-H&N35).

The investigators looked at predictive factors of poor quality of life including age, comorbidities, preoperative radiotherapy, tumour stage, type of surgery, and type of defect repaired.

Results showed that global quality of life decreased slightly at 6 months after surgery and remained fairly constant at 6 and 12 months.

Physical functioning, role functioning and social functioning declined significantly at the 1-year evaluation (P < .05), and emotional and cognitive functioning remained stable.

Pain decreased significantly after treatment (P < .05). Eating, speaking, and sensorial problems increased significantly, with a slight deterioration between 6 and 12 months.

The authors concluded, “Free flap reconstruction of head and neck defects allows good functional results and acceptable quality of life.”

Presentation title:
Head and Neck Reconstructive Surgery With Free Flaps and Quality of Life: A Prospective Study. Abstract 46]

Presented at:
International Meeting on Innovative Approaches in Head and Neck Oncology, sponsored by the European Head and Neck Society and the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (EHNS-ESTRO)