Quality of life outcomes in patients receiving dental implants in vascularised bone flaps for mandibular reconstruction.

Resection, reconstruction, and rehabilitation of the mandible impact function and health related quality of life (HRQOL). In this study, we aimed to understand the impact of delayed versus immediate dental implant placement. A cross-sectional and prospective study was conducted including patients who underwent reconstruction of the mandible via osseous vascularised bone flaps and dental implants.

Exploring Trismus Management in Australia: A Mixed Methods Evaluation of Surveys and Interviews With Health Professionals.

Objective: This study evaluates how health care professionals manage trismus in Australia and identifies facilitators and barriers experienced by clinicians in routine patient care.

Methods: A mixed-methods approach was used to evaluate the experience of clinicians. Medical, nursing, and allied health practitioners in Australia were invited to participate if they had treated patients with trismus in the last 5 years.

What is the force required to treat trismus in patients undergoing oral cavity free flap reconstruction?

Background: Trismus therapy is often delayed after jaw reconstruction to avoid hardware failure or non-union. The aim of this study is to document the forces that have been applied to patients undergoing free flap reconstruction of the oral cavity in the 12 months following oral cavity reconstruction, and to analyze the associations between force and maximal interincisal opening (MIO) over time.

Methods: Participants with trismus after free flap reconstruction of the oral cavity completed a 10-week jaw stretching program using Restorabite™.

Systematic review of adherence to swallow and trismus exercises during radiation therapy for head and neck cancer.

Understanding the barriers and facilitators for prophylactic swallowing and trismus exercises for patients undergoing radiation to the head and neck may help exercise adherence. The analysis reviews all published reports of exercise adherence with a critical appraisal following PRISMA guidelines. A total of 137 potential papers were identified; 20 studies met the inclusion criteria.

Association between Swallowing Outcomes and Dose to Critical Swallow Structures in Patients Undergoing Transoral Robotic Surgery and Post-Operative Radiation Therapy.

Background: The radiation dose to dysphagia and aspiration-related structures (DARS) for patients undergoing transoral robotic surgery (TORS) and post-operative radiation therapy (PORT) for primary oropharyngeal carcinoma is unknown.

Methods: This prospective study measured swallowing using the MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory at baseline and then 12-months after PORT. Dosimetric parameters were collected.

Exercise adherence for patients with trismus after head and neck cancer treatment.

Background: Head and neck cancer treatment often leads to trismus, a condition characterized by limited mouth opening. Exercise-based therapy is the most common intervention but there are no clear guidelines as to the optimal exercise regimen. Restorabite™ is a portable and force-regulated trismus device designed to enhance exercise adherence.

Restorabite™: Phase II trial of jaw stretching exercises using a novel device for patients with trismus following head and neck cancer.

Patients treated for oral cancer, may experience restricted mouth opening (trismus). Barriers such as cost have limited the utilization of traditional jaw stretching devices, and consequently, patients experience problems with swallowing, oral care, communication, and cancer surveillance. The safety and efficacy of Restorabite™, a new device designed to overcome these barriers, is evaluated prospectively over 12 months.

Pilot Study of Intensive Trismus Intervention Using Restorabite™ During Unilateral Adjuvant Radiation for Head and Neck Cancer.

Trismus commonly arises after surgery for head and neck cancer (HNC) and its severity is potentiated by postoperative radiotherapy. While the benefit of trismus rehabilitation after surgery and radiotherapy is well established, the evidence during radiotherapy is less clear. This may be due to poor adherence to trismus exercises secondary to acute mucositis.

Amplification, Resistance, and Kinetics of the Jaw Stretching Device (ARK-JSD): analysis of the force variation and implications for trismus therapy.

Purpose: Jaw-stretching devices, including the Amplification, Resistance, and Kinetics of the Jaw (ARK-JSD), are an effective option for treating trismus after head and neck cancer (HNC) treatment. The force, however, that is applied to the patient's jaw is unknown.

Methods: Ten ARK-JSD devices were constructed for each of the levels of resistance (total of 30 samples).

Minimum detectable change in occlusal load - normative data for healthy and head and neck cancer populations.

Traditionally, pain has been a signal to de-intensify jaw exercises for trismus to prevent tissue damage. It is unknown whether patients who have undergone surgery or radiotherapy for head and neck cancer have sufficient sensation to detect changes in occlusal load. This study sought to compare the minimum detectable occlusal load in a cohort of patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) and compare this with healthy controls.

Sex differences in perceived speech intelligibility in patients with facial nerve palsy.

Purpose: Facial nerve palsy (FNP) affects physical and social function, including speech. There exists discrepancy between professional and patient perception of appearance following FNP; however, speech differences remain unknown. We aimed to compare ratings of speech intelligibility by different listeners.

Treatment approaches and outcomes of a head and neck lymphedema service at an Australian comprehensive cancer center.

Background: Patients treated for head and neck cancer are at high risk of developing head and neck lymphedema (HNL). We describe outcomes of HNL management at an Australian institution from 2018 to 2020.

Methods: Electronic records from Chris O'Brien Lifehouse were retrospectively reviewed from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2020.

Construct and discriminant validity testing of the FACE-Q Head and Neck Cancer Module for assessing speech and swallowing outcomes for patients undergoing maxillectomy or mandibulectomy.

Background: The FACE-Q H&N is a patient reported outcome measure covering multiple constructs for patients with head and neck tumors. Additional testing is needed to determine suitability in assessing speech- and swallowing-related quality of life and function.

Methods: FACE-Q H&N, The M.

Virtual reality digital surgical planning for jaw reconstruction: a usability study.

Background: Digital surgical planning (DSP) has revolutionized the preparation and execution of the management of complex head and neck pathologies. The addition of virtual reality (VR) allows the surgeon to have a three-dimensional experience with six degrees of freedom for visualizing and manipulating objects. This pilot study describes the participants experience with the first head and neck reconstructive VR-DSP platform.

Utility of an oral competence questionnaire for patients with facial nerve paralysis.

Objective: To investigate the utility of a patient-reported outcome measure that evaluates oral competence; speech and swallowing functions after facial nerve paralysis (FNP).

Methods: The Oral Competence Questionnaire (OCQ) covers 16 questions from known, validated patient-reported outcome measures. The OCQ was completed by 40 patients with facial nerve paralysis (FNP) and 40 healthy controls.

A pilot study of intensive intervention using a novel trismus device.

Purpose: Trismus secondary to head and neck neoplasm treatment impacts upon quality of life, nutrition, oral hygiene, and dentition. Current treatment options for trismus apply unquantified force to the jaw, and in many cases, the device costs are prohibitive. This study aimed to prospectively evaluate the impact of a novel trismus device.

Effect of Radiotherapy on Functional and Health-Related Quality of Life Outcomes after Jaw Reconstruction.

Long-term health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and functional outcomes following mandibular and maxillary reconstruction are lacking. To determine these outcomes, a cross-sectional study of patients with a history of cancer who underwent jaw reconstruction was undertaken. Participants were identified from a database of jaw reconstruction procedures at the Chris O'Brien Lifehouse (Sydney, Australia).

Velopharyngeal incompetence following transoral robotic surgery for oropharyngeal carcinoma: A scoping review.

Purpose: Following transoral robotic surgery (TORS) for oropharyngeal carcinoma (OPC), velopharyngeal incompetence (VPI) is a known consequence that may contribute to swallowing and speech disorders. As the incidence of OPC increases affecting a younger demographic, a better understanding of VPI is required to support speech and swallowing rehabilitation.

Method: A scoping review was conducted using Arskey & O'Malley's framework.

Patient satisfaction and cost analysis of telehealth delivered by allied health oncology clinicians.

Introduction: To compare and analyse satisfaction and costs of telehealth services for patients receiving allied health services at a quaternary oncology hospital.

Material And Methods: Cross-sectional design survey distributed to patients who had received outpatient allied health (psych-oncology, dietetics, speech pathology) telehealth services from March November 2020. Responses regarding satisfaction and barriers relating to telehealth were examined, and costs calculated.

Health-related quality of life in maxillectomy patients undergoing dentoalveolar rehabilitation.

Objectives: Surgical resection of the maxilla impairs aesthetics, speech, swallowing, and mastication. Maxillary reconstruction is increasingly performed with virtual surgical planning (VSP) to enhance functional dental rehabilitation with a conventional denture or osseointegrated implants. The aim of this study was to determine whether dental status and VSP is associated with health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and function in patients who have undergone maxillectomy.