Quality of life and shoulder function among oral cancer patients treated with selective neck dissection: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: There is no doubt about the oncologic effectiveness of neck dissections (NDs). But the quality of life (QoL) of patients with oral cancer and the morbidity associated with ND like shoulder dysfunction remain uncertain. The present study aimed to assess the postoperative ND-related QoL and shoulder function of oral cancer patients who underwent selective neck dissection (SND).

METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted by using a self-administered, ND-related QoL questionnaire and arm abduction test (AAT) in 128 patients who had undergone only SND (up to Level IV) for oral cancer.

RESULTS: Out of the 128 patients, 94 (73.8%) patients had better QoL, and 34 (26.2%) patients had worse QoL. Fifty-one (39.84%) participants were able to abduct up to or more than 150° but less than 180° (Score 3) followed by 31 (24.22%) participants who could abduct up to or more than 90° but not less than 150° (Score 2). Strong positive correlations (r = 1.000) were observed between the ND QoL scores and the AAT scores. It was found to be statistically significant (P = 0.000).

CONCLUSION: SND, being a more conservative approach sparing the spinal accessory nerve, could still limit the QoL and could affect the shoulder function to a certain extent.