Comparing Pedicle and Free Flaps for Reconstruction of Defects in Head and Neck Neoplasm: An Assay for Quality of Life

Introduction: Reconstruction surgeryfor head and neck cancers restore patients’ function and appearance. Careful selection of flap for reconstruction of a defect after an ablative surgery can be a complex process and may affect on quality of life (QOL) of the patients. This study aimed to compare the quality of life between free and pedicle flap reconstruction groups in head and neck neoplasm patients. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of QOL in patients withhead and neck neoplasm that attend follow-up clinics from July to September 2019. All patients that underwent reconstructive surgery with either pedicle or free flaps were included in the study. At least 6 month-time was elapsed from the reconstructive surgery. QOL of the patients was evaluated using Medical Outcomes Study Short Form (MOS SF-36) questionnaire. The patients’ demographic data and medical history were collected using electronic patients’ records. Results: Seventy patients completed the questionnaire. Forty one (58.57%) patients underwent pedicle and 29 (41.43%) patients free flap reconstructive surgery. There was no significant difference between pedicle and free flap groups with regard to age, gender, radiotherapy or chemotherapy (P>0.05). The present study indicates that there was no statistically significant difference between pedicle and free flap groups with regard to 8 domains of SF-36 questionnaire (P>0.05), neither was significant difference between two groups with regard to the physical or mental component summaries (P>0.05). Conclusion: The present study on quality of life of head and neck neoplasm patients that had undergone pedicle or free flaps showed no significant difference between two groups.