Evaluation of quality of life among patients after extirpation of mandibular ameloblastoma.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the quality of life (QOL) based on the functional, aesthetic and personal satisfaction among patients with ameloblastoma who underwent either partial or total mandibulectomy without reconstruction. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: The Department of Oral Surgery and Oral Pathology, School of Dentistry; Muhimbili University College of Health Sciences, Tanzania. SUBJECTS: Patients surgically treated for ameloblastoma without reconstruction. RESULTS. The postoperative problems were mostly associated with eating of solid foods, appearance and speech. All patients treated by total mandibulectomy had moderately severe problems with eating of solid foods and were dissatisfied with their appearance. CONCLUSION: The relatively small tumours resulted in a much better QOL. Public awareness programmes to avoid late referral and treatment is the most effective way to reduce the number of patients who after treatment suffer a poor QOL.