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.

Indigenous Management of Parotid Sialocele Using Foley's Catheter: A Report of Two Cases.

BACKGROUND: Parotid gland and duct injuries are rare complications following surgery of parotid gland and temporomandibular joint. Sialocele is a cavity filled with saliva, usually formed as a result of trauma to salivary gland/duct or an iatrogenic complication of surgery. Several methods of managing parotid duct injury have been reported in the literature. In this article, we describe an indigenous way of internalisation of salivary fistula that resulted from traumatic injury to the parotid duct. METHODS: The authors present two cases of parotid sialocele managed using Foley's catheter through an intraoral opening, and catheter was internalised, secured and left in situ for 15 days. RESULTS: The salivary flow was found to be normal through the intraoral opening, and no recurrence was observed postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Parotid duct injury associated with sialocele and cutaneous salivary fistula could be effectively internalised using Foley's catheter, under local anaesthesia. This technique of internalisation of parotid sialocele is simple, less invasive and may be performed as an outpatient procedure.