Comparative evaluation of Health-related quality of life (QoL) after maxillectomy with and without rehabilitation using obturator prosthesis

Abstract

Purpose: The study in comparison evaluated the health-related quality of life of patients post maxillectomy in patients with and without obturator prosthesis. Methodology: The prospective study was conducted in the Department of Prosthodontics in SharadPawar Dental College. The patients operated for maxillary resection along with Prosthodontic treatment and obturator prosthesis, and flap reconstructions were supposed to be included in the following cross-sectional study in last two years. Results: The social and demographic along with medical characteristics of 24 patients interviewed. The impact of selected variables in the aspects of demography and treatment on patient’s Quality of Life were evaluated. A total of 15 (68.8%) patients were male and 9 (31.2%) female in mean age range of 57.6±10.7 years of age (ranging 34–82 years) were evaluated. Squamous Cell Carcinoma was one of the most frequently histologically diagnosed cases i.e. 52% of total patients.Second most frequently occurring is adenocarcinoma i.e. 16.6% of total cases, (5/30) and the third most frequently occurring diagnosis was adenoid cystic carcinoma i.e. 10% of the total occurring cases, (3/30). The overall quality of life post rehabilitation of prosthesis with the help of obturators was on an average found to be 54±22.9%. Whereas the patients of age group between 50-59 years of age showed lowest ratings of 47% when compared with the patients of other age groups. Conclusion: Both age groups showed similarity in the outcomes, which were subjective, and hence a larger longitudinal study will be required to evaluate and establish these relationships.