Impact of reconstructive microsurgery on patients with cancer of the head and neck: a prospective study of quality of life, particularly in older patients

Treatment of cancer of the head and neck often requires extended resection and major reconstructive surgery, both of which can have great functional and emotional impact. It is fundamental to evaluate the outcome with respect not only to the clinical aspects but also to the quality of life (QoL) perceived by the patients. In the light of the reported increasing incidence of oral cancer in older patients, we decided to see if there was an association between QoL and age. Between June 2015 and December 2016 we submitted the Italian version of the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) to 30 patients (mean (range) age 65.5 (23–87) years) who had had resection and microsurgical reconstruction at the Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico of Milan.

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