Barry Scott

Longitudinal evaluation of restricted mouth opening (trismus) in patients following primary surgery for oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma

Trismus is a serious problem for some patients after oral and oropharyngeal cancer, and it has a detrimental impact on quality of life and function. We know of few published papers that include preoperative assessment in reports on the longitudinal outcomes of mouth opening after oral and oropharyngeal surgery. We prospectively measured mouth opening in patients who had primary surgery for oral and oropharyngeal cancer from baseline to six months to find out the characteristics at baseline and at discharge of those who develop trismus at six months. Ninety-eight patients were eligible between February 2007 and March 2008, and 64 (65%) were recruited into the study. The range of mouth opening was measured on three occasions: before operation, on the ward before discharge from hospital, and at follow-up six months after operation. Using a criterion of 35 mm or less as an indication of trismus, 30% (19/63) had trismus before operation, 65% (37/57) at hospital discharge, and 54% (26/48) at six month follow-up. Patients at high risk of trismus were those with T stage 3 or 4 cancers who required free flap reconstruction and adjuvant radiotherapy; radiotherapy was the most significant factor at six months. Trismus at discharge was a prediction of trismus at six months. Interventions such as spatulas or a passive jaw mobiliser should be targeted at patients at high risk early in the postoperative phase. The efficacy of such interventions needs further research.

MARGINAL MANDIBULAR NERVE INJURY DURING NECK DISSECTION AND ITS IMPACT ON PATIENT PERCEPTION OF APPEARANCE

Neck dissection to remove cervical lymph nodes is common practice in head and neck cancer management. The marginal mandibular nerve may be injured during neck dissection, particularly of level 1. The rate of injury to this nerve is underreported in the literature and its impact on patients is not well defined.

Treatment referral before and after the introduction of the Liverpool Patients Concerns Inventory (PCI) into routine head and neck oncology outpatient clinics

PurposeHolistic needs assessment is a key recommendation in improving supportive and palliative care in adults with cancer. The Patients Concerns Inventory (PCI) is a holistic needs assessment tool designed for head and neck cancer survivors in outpatient setting. Routine screening of potential unmet needs in a clinic may result in increased onward referrals, thus placing a burden on existing healthcare services. The aim of this study was to compare the referral trends following consultation in the time periods before and after introduction of PCI in an oncology outpatient clinic.MethodA cross-sectional cohort of disease-free survivors of oral/oropharyngeal cancers of a single consultant was prospectively exposed to PCI from July 2007 to April 2009. The PCI is a self-completed questionnaire consisting of 55 items of patient needs/concern and a list of multidisciplinary professionals, whom patients may wish to talk to or be referred to. Retrospective analysis of referral patterns from clinic letters in two periods in the pre-PCI and post-PCI exposure was performed. Prospective analysis of consultations was performed to determine the outcome of PCI-highlighted items.ResultsThere was no change in the prevalence of onward referral with the introduction of PCI, i.e. 21 referrals per 100 patients seen in outpatients. However, the proportion of referrals to oral rehabilitation and psychological support increased. Referrals to certain services, e.g. speech and language and dentistry, remained consistently in demand. Many PCI-highlighted needs were dealt in a clinic with by the consultant and/or other professionals during a multidisciplinary consultation.ConclusionsRoutine use of PCI promotes target efficiency by directing and apportioning appropriate services to meet the needs for supportive care of head and neck cancer survivors.

A double blind randomised trial of IIb or not IIb neck dissections on electromyography, clinical examination, and questionnaire-based outcomes: a feasibility study

The aim of this double-blind randomised controlled trial was to evaluate the feasibility of a study to compare differences using electromyographic (EMG) or nerve conduction studies (NCS), questionnaires completed by patients, and range of movement, after selective supraomohyoid neck dissection in patients with and without level IIb for node-negative oral cancer. Between January 2006 and July 2008 we recruited 57 previously untreated consecutive patients with node-negative T1 or T2 squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) of the anterior two-thirds of the tongue and floor of the mouth. Thirty-eight patients were randomised (32 unilateral and 6 bilateral dissections) into two groups. Preoperatively and at 6 weeks postoperatively we collected EMG or NCS data on trapezius muscle activity (primary outcome), the University of Washington quality of life scale (UWQoLv4), the neck dissection impairment index (NDII), and range of movement. At 6 months data on range of movement and data from the questionnaires were obtained. There was a greater mean fall in trapezius M-response amplitude for those who had IIb dissected, which suggested that inclusion of this level caused additional morbidity. However, it was not significant for patients who had unilateral dissections or for all necks combined. Changes in M-amplitude from baseline to 6 weeks, and from baseline to 6 months were strongly associated with changes in the shoulder domain of the UWQoL and the NDII, but were less strong for change in range of movement. This feasibility study has shown that a randomised controlled trial (RCT) is achievable. The combination of EMG or NCS with questionnaire data preoperatively and to 6 weeks would suffice and would simplify a new study design.

Use of the Patient Concerns Inventory to identify speech and swallowing concerns following treatment for oral and oropharyngeal cancer

BACKGROUND AND AIMS The Patient Concerns Inventory is a holistic, self-reported screening tool for detecting unmet needs in head and neck cancer patients. This study aimed to assess its value in screening for self-perceived swallowing and speech concerns, and in facilitating multidisciplinary supportive care. METHODS The Patient Concerns Inventory and the University of Washington Quality of Life questionnaire were completed by 204 post-treatment patients attending routine out-patient review clinics, and those with speech or swallowing issues were identified. RESULTS Swallowing and speech issues were respectively reported by 21 and 7 per cent of University of Washington questionnaire respondents and by 17 and 13 per cent of Patient Concerns Inventory respondents. The two surveys combined indicated that speech or swallowing issues arose in 39 per cent of consultations (n = 178), involving 48 per cent of patients (n = 97). Of these 97 patients, 74 were known to the speech and language therapist. The remaining 23 patients had their concerns discussed in the clinic; three were referred on, and were assessed by the speech and language therapist and given appropriate interventions. CONCLUSION The use of both surveys concurrently enabled all patients with swallowing or speech issues to discuss these concerns in the clinic and to access appropriate multidisciplinary interventions.

The Patient Concerns Inventory: A Tool to Uncover Unmet Needs in a Cancer Outpatient Clinic

The Patient Concerns Inventory (PCI) is a holistic, patient reported tool that aids in identifying concerns and issues. it is a 55-item checklist of issues that may be grouped into categories of general function, specific head and neck function, emotional-psychological and others, which include finances, treatment related matters and social care. The PCI also gives patients an opportunity to identify from a list of 15 multidisciplinary team (MDT) members whom they would like to see or be referred on to.

The Patients Concerns Inventory in head and neck cancer: comparison between self-completed paper and touch screen versions in the clinic setting

BACKGROUND The Patients Concerns Inventory (PCI) is a practical tool for patients to highlight their concerns and needs for discussion in consultations. OBJECTIVE To use paper and touch-screen technology (TST) versions of the PCI, to see if there were differences in issues raised by patients before consultation and in issues discussed during consultation. METHODS Two consultants participated. Also 105 of their post-operative head and neck cancer patients in 122 consultations completed paper or TST versions of the PCI before consultation, April 2010 to April 2012. RESULTS There were no statistically significant differences between paper and TST in how many PCI concerns were selected by patients or discussed in consultation, nor in length of consultation. Fear of recurrence, chewing/eating, dental health, swallowing, salivation, head & neck pain, speech and sleeping issues were common concerns across both paper and TST. Fewer than 10% of patients encountered any problems when completing either form of PCI. Interestingly, the two consultants used the PCI differently, reflected in different levels of agreement between items highlighted on the PCI and items subsequently discussed - κappa-coefficients of agreement were 0.68 for the paper and 0.66 for the TST version of the PCI (consultant A) and 0.55 for the paper and 0.32 for the TST version of the PCI (consultant B). CONCLUSIONS This study found that the paper version of the PCI was an acceptable alternative to the TST version.

Randomised feasibility study to compare the use of Therabite® with wooden spatulas to relieve and prevent trismus in patients with cancer of the head and neck

Our aim was to compare the efficacy of the Therabite® jaw motion rehabilitation system (Atos Medical) with that of wooden spatulas to relieve and prevent trismus in patients who have had radiotherapy for stage three and four oral and oropharyngeal cancer. Secondary aims were to assess the feasibility and the impact of exercise on health-related quality of life (QoL), and the use of health services after treatment. We designed a randomised, open-label, controlled, three-centre feasibility study to compare the effectiveness and cost of the Therabite® and wooden spatulas. We studied compliance with exercises and health-related QoL, assessed cost using three health economics measures, and conducted semistructured interviews with patients. Patients were randomised into two groups: the Therabite® group (n = 37) and the wooden spatula group (n = 34). All patients had some sense of jaw tightening before the study started. Mean mouth opening after six months increased in both groups, but the difference between the groups was not significant (p = 0.39). Completion rates for the three economic measures were good. There was no significant difference between the two groups in frequency of contact with care services or in QoL. Exercises during and after radiotherapy can ameliorate trismus in patients with stage three and four oral and oropharygeal cancers, but differences between groups in efficacy, compliance, QoL, or use of hospital or community health services, were not significant.