Conclusions: Quality of life (QOL) scores were significantly higher among voice rehabilitated patients although this was accompanied by significant immediate and long-term morbidity and a cost implication for the patient.
Objective: We present a prospective and cross-over study of overall QOL and morbidity related to voice restoration in laryngectomees.
Methods: The EORTC QOL questionnaire (QLQ-C30 and QLQ-H&N-35) was distributed among all the consenting patients alive after laryngectomy from January 2008 to October 2009. In patients who had secondary voice rehabilitation, post-rehabilitation QOL scores were collected separately. Comparison of QOL between the non-rehabilitated and rehabilitated cohorts was done and a cross-over study of pre-rehabilitation and post-rehabilitation scores were done in the second cohort.
Results: A total of 113 patients were studied. QOL scores were significantly higher among voice rehabilitated patients.