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Subjective morbidity following radial free flap reconstruction in head and neck tumour patients

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 February 2019

A Minkara ,
M R Simmons ,
A Goodale  and
Y J Patil
A Minkara
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, University of Cincinnati Medical Center/College of Medicine, Ohio, USA
M R Simmons
Affiliation:
Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, University of Cincinnati Medical Center/College of Medicine, Ohio, USA
A Goodale
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, University of Cincinnati Medical Center/College of Medicine, Ohio, USA
Y J Patil*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, University of Cincinnati Medical Center/College of Medicine, Ohio, USA
*
Author for correspondence: Dr Yash Patil, Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, ML 0528, Cincinnati, OH, USA E-mail: yash.patil@uc.edu Fax: +1 513 558 5203
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Abstract

Objective

Evaluation of post-operative donor site disability remains unaddressed in radial forearm free flap cases. This study aimed to assess donor site dysfunction following radial forearm free flap harvest using validated general, disease-specific and site-specific disability questionnaires.

Methods

In this retrospective case series of 24 patients at a tertiary academic medical centre, patients were assessed using the Short Form 36 Health Survey, Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment questionnaire, and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire. One-sample z-tests were performed, comparing means of the cohort to controls.

Results

Compared to population controls, the cohort had higher mean scores for the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire (18.22 vs 10.1, p < 0.01), and Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment questionnaire bothersome index (21.44 vs 13.77, p = 0.04), and a lower mean score for the Short Form 36 Health Survey physical component (38.88 vs 50, p < 0.01), indicating a greater disability for the cohort compared to controls.

Conclusion

Radial forearm free flap harvest causes significant long-term donor site disability in head and neck tumour patients. The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire is a concise tool for measuring this dysfunction.

Keywords

Head and Neck NeoplasmsFree Tissue FlapsReconstructive Surgical ProcedureForearmUpper ExtremityQuality of LifeSurveys and Questionnaires
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 133 , Issue 3 , March 2019 , pp. 230 - 235
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited, 2019 

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Footnotes

Dr Y Patil takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

Presented at the Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Symposium, 18–20 February 2016, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA.

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