Long‐term quality of life and sensory impact of great auricular nerve preservation in parotid surgery as measured with the Parotidectomy Outcome Inventory‐8

Abstract Background: Parotidectomy may be burdened by numerous complications that may worsen subjects' quality of life (QoL). So far, the literature still lacks of long-term data (>10 years) answering to the question what impacted the patients the most on QOL after parotidectomy compared to well-published short-term data.Methods: A prospective long-term follow-up study was carried out. Participants were divided into three groups concerning the follow-up: short-term (ST; 6 postoperative weeks), long-term (LT; 13 years postoperative) and short- and long-term (SLT) on same patient collective. QOL was assessed by the Parotidectomy Outcome Inventory (POI-8). Demographic and clinical data were collected from all patients. Operative reports were used to classify all parotidectomies as great auricular nerve (GAN) “preserving” or GAN “sacrificing” surgical preparations.Results: 74 LT, 57 ST and 33 SLT patients were enrolled in this study. Hypoesthesia posed the major short- and long-term problem whereas facial palsy posed the minor problem. Pain (p < 0.01) and hypoesthesia (p < 0.001) significantly improved from six weeks to 13 years after parotidectomy as well as the overall POI-8 score (p = 0.04). The disease-specific impairment rate decreased from short (» 70%) to long-term (» 30%) follow-up. Sacrifice of the auricular nerve was associated with hypoesthesia in the ST-cohort (p = 0.028).Conclusion: To our knowledge, this study represents the longest follow-up of patients undergoing parotidectomy. Hypoesthesia significantly improved but still remains on long-follow-up without impacting QOL. As part of the preoperative informed consent, prolonged or permanent hypoesthesia should be explicitly emphasized.Trial registration: This study was prospectively approved and registered by the local Ethics Committee (Project Trial No: S-300/2007 and S-443/2018).

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Thinking Beyond Language: Intervention for Severe Aphasia

Perspectives on Neurophysiology and Neurogenic Speech and Language Disorders ◽

10.1044/nnsld19.1.15 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

pp. 15-22 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Nina Simmons-Mackie

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Communication Training ◽

Language Intervention ◽

Specific Training ◽

Environmental Support ◽

Total Communication ◽

Communication Partners

Abstract Purpose: This article addresses several intervention approaches that aim to improve life for individuals with severe aphasia. Because severe aphasia significantly compromises language, often for the long term, recommended approaches focus on additional domains that affect quality of life. Treatments are discussed that involve increasing participation in personally relevant life situations, enhancing environmental support for communication and participation, and improving communicative confidence. Methods: Interventions that have been suggested in the aphasia literature as particularly appropriate for people with severe aphasia include training in total communication, training of communication partners, and activity specific training. Conclusion: Several intervention approaches can be implemented to enhance life with severe aphasia.

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