Quality of life after maxillectomy and prosthetic rehabilitation – a pilot study

Abstract

Background/Aim. Although radical surgical treatment is the method of choice in the therapy of cancer of the maxilla and maxillary sinus, it can cause oral dysfunction, social isolation, and emotional and psychological distress, which significantly affects the patient’s quality of life (QoL). The aim of the study was to determine the health-related QoL of patients rehabilitated with obturator prosthesis (OP) after maxillectomy, according to demographic and clinical characteristics. Methods. The study included 32 patients with a mean age of 63.6 years. The measurement of QoL of patients after maxillectomy and prosthetic rehabilitation was assessed using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) and EORTC QLQ – Head and Neck Cancer Module (QLQ-H&N43). Results. Functioning and symptoms were more pronounced in women, younger patients, and single patients (p < 0.05). Patients after definitive prosthetics rehabilitation had fewer problems and symptoms compared to patients with surgical and interim OP (p < 0.05). Patients with partial obturator dentures had a better perception of function than patients with total dentures (p < 0.05). Irradiated patients had more pronounced fatigue, appetite loss, pain in the mouth, dry mouth and sticky saliva, and sense and skin problems compared to nonirradiated patients (p < 0.05). Conclusion. The results of this study suggest that sex, age, marital status, characteristics of OP, and radiotherapy have a significant impact on QoL in patients after maxillectomy.