Quality of life after total glosso-laryngectomy.

The ar/iete explores fhe quality aflife a/two partidpams who had undergone 10101 glosso-foIJ'f1geclomy as rrearmellf!or advanced longue base cancer. Semi~st"lIcfllred interviews were condl/cted and qUill/iollS relating to fhe effects of treatment 011 physical, jill/eriona/, social and psychological well-being were asked. Thematic analysis of the illlerviews was done 10 determine recurring themes in the answers a/the participants. Thejindings showed thaI totaf glossa-laryngectomy has a significant impact on quality of life. A good quality oflife can be maillfaincd in a pOlient who has an extensive support strllClllre and can achieve illtelligible oral communication. Pre-operative counselling by a mulli-disciplinary team is important for a permn to make an illformed decision regarding surgelY for head and neck cancer. Shared decision making need5 10 be addressed in tI,e South African service delivery COII/exl.