Quality of life and swallowing outcomes following major glossectomy: A prospective single‐center experience

Abstract

BackgroundThere exists a lacuna in the structured reporting of swallowing dysfunction and quality of life (QoL) outcome following major glossectomy.MethodsProspective cohort study to assess the swallowing dysfunction and QoL following STG (subtotal glossectomy) or NTG (near total glossectomy) over a 6‐month period using FEES and PAS scale, MDADI, and FACT‐HN.ResultsTwenty‐four patients were available for analysis. The pre‐ and post‐adjuvant evaluation revealed a statistically significant improvement in the composite MDADI and FACT‐HN scores. Subscale analysis of FACT‐HN scores revealed maximum deficit in the head and neck cancer‐specific score domain followed by functional domain and social well‐being domain, with serial improvement noted in the post‐adjuvant setting.ConclusionThis study showed serial improvement in terms of swallowing dysfunction although social and functional well‐being domains related to QoL continued to reveal major deficits. Better outcomes were seen with preservation of bilateral base of tongue and mandible.