Long-term quality of life in children after open airway surgery for laryngotracheal stenosis

• Published in: International journal of pediatric otorhinolaryngology 2016-05, Vol.84, p.88-93
• Main Authors: Pullens, B, Dulfer, K, Buysse, C.M.P, Hoeve, L.J, Timmerman, M.K, Joosten, K.F.M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Child; Children; Cricotracheal resection; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Health related quality of life; Health Status Indicators; Humans; Laryngostenosis - complications; Laryngostenosis - surgery; Laryngotracheal reconstruction; Laryngotracheal stenosis; Male; Otolaryngology; Parents; Pediatrics; Prospective Studies; Quality of Life; Surgical results; Surveys and Questionnaires; Tracheal Stenosis - complications; Tracheal Stenosis - surgery; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 0165-5876; 1872-8464
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2016.02.008

Abstract Objectives The purpose of this study is to evaluate the long-term health related quality of life (HRQoL) in a cohort of children surgically treated for laryngotracheal stenosis (LTS). Study design Prospective cohort study. Methods Parents of children between 4 and 18 years at follow-up completed the Child Health Questionnaire Parent Form (CHQ-PF50). Children between 11 and 18 years at follow-up completed the Child Health Questionnaire Child Form (CHQ-CF87). Biographical and pre-operative data were extracted from the hospital records. Post-operative measurements consisted of the Bruce treadmill test and pulmonary function testing (PFT). Results Fifty-four parents completed the CHQ-PF50; twenty-one children completed the CHQ-CF87. The CHQ-PF50 was significantly worse than the norm population on the subscales physical functioning, role functioning: emotional/behavior, general health perceptions, family activities, parental impact: emotional, and time. CHQ-CF87 was significantly worse than the norm population on physical functioning and better on mental health. After multivariate analysis, presence of co-morbidities and glottic stenosis are the most important pre-operative factors for worse scores on general health. As post-operative measurements, the Bruce treadmill test and peak expiratory flow (PEF) correlate well with HRQoL physical subscales. Conclusions At long-term follow-up after treatment for LTS, deficits in HRQoL may still exist. Presence of co-morbidities and glottic stenosis are important negative factors for long-term HRQoL. The Bruce treadmill test and peak expiratory flow on pulmonary function testing correlate well with physical subscales on HRQoL. A long-term multidisciplinary follow-up with assessment of HRQoL is advised in patients treated for LTS. Level of evidence 2B, individual prospective cohort study.