Open AccessFacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Author(s) -
Richard Arden,
Lauren Reckley,
Michael P. Del Do,
Jeffery Teixeira,
Daniel Tran,
Jared M. Theler,
Macario Camacho
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
otolaryngology–head and neck surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.232
H-Index - 121
eISSN - 1097-6817
pISSN - 0194-5998
DOI - 10.1177/0194599817717251b
Subject(s) - otorhinolaryngology , citation , head and neck , reconstructive surgery , medicine , computer science , general surgery , surgery , world wide web
index (VHI), and other measures. Simultaneously, a disease-specific QoL questionnaire (ThyPRO) was administered, including an additional assessment 3 months after surgery. Results: Seventy-one patients were included with 7 lost to follow-up, leaving 64 patients who completed all examinations. After surgery, 11 patients (17%) had VVFC. A VHI ≥40 points 3 weeks after surgery had a 58% positive predictive value and a 90% negative predictive value in identifying patients with VVFC. No difference in QoL was demonstrated between patients with or without VVFC, either at baseline or 3 weeks after surgery. However, 3 months after surgery, patients with VVFC had more tiredness (P = .02), cognitive complaints (P = .04), emotional susceptibly (P = .04), impaired daily life (P = .001), cosmetic complaints (P = .005), and decreased overall QoL (P = .001) than patients without VVFC. At 6 months, both groups improved in QoL from baseline with no difference between groups. Conclusions: At postoperative follow-up, the VHI questionnaire may help identifying patients who could benefit from further examination and be offered vocal rehabilitation.