[Quality of life after oropharyngectomy].

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to assess direct or non-direct links between functional abilities of the patient evaluated objectively and his quality of life after oropharyngectomy, a surgery capable of engendering bad functional outcomes.

METHODS

Praxies and speech were examined in 16 patients at 3, 6, 9 or 12 months after surgery and 2 self-evaluation questionnaires were proposed: One about health related quality of life of cancer patients (EORTC QLQ-C30 and H&N35) and, the other about oral communication handicap (VHI).

RESULTS AND

CONCLUSION

A correlation between quality of life and objective functional abilities can not always be found. Self-evaluation questionnaires might be a complementary approach in order to guide management in patient care after oropharyngectomy.