Quality of life and problems associated with obturators of patients with maxillectomies

作者：Marwa Mohammed Ali, Nadia Khalifa, Mohammed Nasser Alhajj · 发表于：Head & Face Medicine · 年份：2018 · DOI：10.1186/s13005-017-0160-2 · 被引用次数：82 · 研究领域：Reconstructive Surgery and Microvascular Techniques、Reconstructive Facial Surgery Techniques、Cleft Lip and Palate Research

BACKGROUND: Maxillary defects predispose patients to different undesirable effects. The aim of this study was to assess the quality of life (QoL) of patients with maxillary defects (acquired/congenital) wearing obturators. METHODS: The study comprised 30 patients aged between 16 and 78 years. Interviews were conducted to collect information pertaining to patients; sociodemographic, self-reported function of obturator using Obturator Functioning Scale (OFS), self-evaluation of general health using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), radiotherapy treatment, salivary gland removal, reconstructive surgery, neck dissection and length of time obturators were worn. Clinical examination included type of maxillectomy, Aramany classification of the defect, and evaluation of obturator function using the Kapur retention and stability scoring system. RESULT: Quality of life was affected significantly by marital status (P = 0.026). Married patients had better quality of life 61.3%, followed by divorced patients 38.8%, widowed 37.3% and the least QoL was detected in single patients 36.5%. Significant association between the type of maxillectomy and QoL was detected (P = 0.002). Retention of obturator prosthesis had a highly significant association with QoL (P < 0.001). Type of maxillectomy had a significant relation with obturator retention (P = 0.005). Stability had a significant correlation with QoL (P = 0.022). Obturator wearers who were treated with radiotherapy had lower QoL than those who we...