Performance status and quality of life after reconstructions of buccal mucosal and retromolar trigone defects by skin and fascial flaps in oncologycal patients

Abstract

The aim: of the study is to compare surgical and functional results as well as quality of life after use of skin flaps – platysma myocutaneus flap, supraclavicular artery flap and fascial flaps – temporoparietal fascial flap, buccal fat pad for plastic closure of the buccal and retromolar trigone mucous surgical defects in cancer patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Material and methods: A retrospective comparative analysis of the results of surgical treatment of buccal and retromolar trigone mucosal cancer in 56 patients operated from 2009 to 2014 was made. The patients were divided into two groups: the first included 26 patients, with reconstruction of fascial flaps, the second group included 30 patients, with reconstruction of postoperative defects with skin flaps. Surgical results: the average duration of surgery, the average duration of inpatient treatment and the presence of complications were compared in the both groups. Functional results in both groups were compared in 6 and 12 months after surgery with the Performance Status Scale for Head and Neck Cancer Patients (PSS-HN), and quality of life was assessed by the University of Washington Quality of Life questionnaire, version 4. RESULTS: Results: Average duration of surgery, average time of inpatient treatment, and postoperative complications did not differ significantly in both groups (P> 0.05). Data of performance status and quality of life in patients with reconstruction of mucosal defects and retromolar trigone with skin flaps were significantly better (P> 0.05) in 6 and 12 months after surgery, compared with the group of patients who underwent defect reconstruction with fascial flaps. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: The method of choice in reconstruction of medium and large defects of the buccal and the retromolar trigone mucous is usage of skin flaps: the platysma myocutaneus flap and the flap of the supraclavicular artery.