Assessment of Quality of Life of Free Anterolateral Thigh Flap for Reconstruction of Tissue Defects of Total or Near-Total Glossectomy

Abstract EN

Background.

The aim of this study was to evaluate quality of life of free anterolateral thigh flap (ALTFF) for reconstruction of tissue defects of total or near-total glossectomy.

Methods.

Quality of life was assessed by means of the University of Washington Quality of Life (UW-QOL) and the 14-item Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14), after 12 months postoperatively.

Results.

65 of 79 questionnaires were returned (82.27%).

In the UW-QOL, the best-scoring domain was “shoulder,” whereas the lowest scores were for “chewing” and “pain.” In the OHIP-14, the lowest-scoring domain was “handicap,” followed by “Social disability” and “Psychological disability.” Conclusion.

Free anterolateral thigh perforator flaps for reconstruction of total or near-total glossectomy defects after cancer resection would have significantly influenced the patients’ oral functions and quality of life.