Dynamic Quality-of-Life Trajectories After Head and Neck Reconstruction

What are the quality-of-life (QOL) trajectories beyond 1 year after head and neck reconstruction?In this cohort study of 315 patients with head and neck disease, QOL did not stabilize at 1 year when using time to deterioration, an approach that accounts for reversibility and patient adaptation, with more than half experiencing clinically meaningful changes beyond 1 year.Results of this study suggest that as QOL remains dynamic beyond 1 year postoperatively, global survivorship care pathways should incorporate risk stratification and targeted interventions at the 1-year landmark to prevent long-term deterioration in QOL.

Corresponding Author: Fu-Chan Wei, MD, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, 5, Fu-Hsing Street, Guishan, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan (fuchanwei@gmail.com).

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