Long Term Assessment of Quality of Life in Laryngectomee

후두전적출술 후 장기적인 삶의 질에 대한 평가

Objectives: Despite various attempts to preserve the normal voice in advanced laryngeal cancer, it is inevitable for many advanced laryngeal cancer patients to undergo total laryngectomy and thus making a trade off between quality and quantity of life. Laryngectomees are faced with voice loss, change in physical appearance and health deterioration which hinder their efforts to rehabilitate back into their family and employment leading to poor quality of life. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the quality of life in long term surviving laryngectomees to, define the factors which are most important in determining their present quality of life and to propose a theoretical model for quality of life after laryngectomy in Korea. Materials and Methods: From 1986 to 1995, 120 laryngectomees with no evidence of disease were followed up for at least 3years were evaluated. Each of 15 quality of life domains with a total of ten points were given for a quality of life score. Results: There was no significant difference in the physical-mental adaptation index such as general health and mental health between the laryngectomees and control group(p>0.05). However, social adaptation index such as social activity, occupational status and economic status for laryngectomees were significantly lower with 2.3, 3.5, and 4.4 points compared to control group with 8.5, 7.6, and 7.1 points respectively(p<0.05). Conclusion : Vocational and social rehabilitation should be emphasized with highest priority for improving their economic status and thus improving their quality of life.