EFFECTS OF HEMIMANDIBULECTOMY ON QUALITY-OF-LIFE

Objective: To assess the quality of life and functional status of pati ents who have undergone hemimandibulectomy based on the type of recons tructive procedure performed. Study Design: Survey, retrospective. Met hods: Twenty-one patients who had undergone hemimandibulectomy and had similar defects were divided into two groups based on the reconstruct ive technique utilized, Eleven patients were placed in the soft tissue reconstruction group. Ten patients were placed in the mandible recons truction group. All patients were assessed for: function, utilizing th e Performance Status Scale, and quality of life, using a general cance r questionnaire (FACT-G) and a series of questions specific for head a nd neck cancer patients. Results: Mandible reconstruction produced a p erceived better physical appearance (P =.02), better eating ability (P =.04), and a better overall quality of life (P =.002). The mandible r econstruction cohort consistently outscored the soft tissue cohort on all questionnaires. Conclusion: Restoration of mandibular continuity a fter hemimandibulectomy leads to improved function and a superior qual ity of life in appropriately selected patients.