Impact of Endoscopic Skull Base Reconstruction on Patient Quality of Life
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- Category: Vol. 84, December 2016
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Impact of Endoscopic Skull Base Reconstruction on Patient Quality of Life, MOHAMED ELSHAZLY, ALI EL-GAREM, AMR SAFWAT and HESHAM ANWAR
Abstract
Background: For different lesions involving the skull base, the reconstruction of the possible resulting defects by the available tissues and methods is important for success of surgery. The process of reconstruction would have a considerable impact on patient quality of life thereafter.
Objective: Evaluation of the impact of endoscopic skull base reconstruction on patient quality of life as regards sinoanasal symptoms including nasal discharge, nasal gustation and olfaction.
Methods: Patients who had endoscopic skull base reconstruction for skull base defects (more than lcm) between May 2013 and January 2016 were followed for б months and monitored for sinonasal symptoms.
Results: During the initial postoperative period the percentage of nasal discharge, nasal crustation and smell dysfunction that occurred was 55.65 and 65% respectively in the first month. Those were subsequently 20, 15 and 30% after six months. The use of vascularized local flaps showed a worse impact on olfaction and almost similar effect like free grafts for nasal crustation but less disturbing nasal discharge.
Conclusion: Endoscopic skull base reconstruction for large skull base defects has its variable impact on patients quality of life which depends on the method used for reconstruction and the extent of primary pathology. Overall, the impact is short term, self limited.