An evaluation of the scapular osseous free flap in maxillary reconstruction using the FACE-Q Head and Neck Cancer Module for patient-reported outcome measures.

Introduction: Health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) outcomes following maxillary reconstruction with the scapular osseous free flap (SOFF) are lacking.  Material and Methods: To determine these outcomes, a study of patients who completed maxillary reconstruction with flap survival of the SOFF between 2016 and 2023 was conducted, using Face-Q Head and Neck Cancer Module (FACE-Q).

Results: Eligible patients had at least six months of follow-up. Twenty questionnaires were completed (100% response rate). Median age was 59 years, 80% were male, and 90% were being treated for malignant disease. Overall, best scores were reported in the facial appearance and experience of care domain. Furthermore, the worst scores were reported in the facial function domain. Subgroup analysis focused on the following three specific surgical outcomes; dental rehabilitation, oronasal fistula and eye-related problems. A better score, though non-significant, in facial function was recorded in the dental rehabilitation group, (70±23 vs. 40±34, p = 0.089). A tendency towards worse facial function regarding eating and drinking was noted in the fistula group (49±14 vs. 56±23, p = 0.468). Patients suffering from eye-related problems reported marginally worse facial appearance scores, (79±21 vs. 68±19, p = 0.289).

Conclusion: In 20 patients who completed maxillary reconstruction with flap survival of the SOFF, the group reported the best scores in the facial appearance and experience of care domain.