[Analysis of quality of life in patients with a facial prosthesis]

This clinical study examined the quality of life of face-disabled patients who had received a facial prosthesis.

The examination of the 58 patients was performed using different questionnaires. For the evaluation of the subjective health-related quality of life an instrument constructed by the WHO was used (WHOQOQL-Bref). The Frankfurter Scales of Body Concepts (FKKS) was chosen to measure the self-assessment of the patient's own body perception. For the assessment of the present general quality of life a visual analogue scale was used (Anamnestic Comparative Self-Assessment, ACSA). Additionally an ad hoc questionnaire was used, which registers the post-therapeutic epithetic rehabilitation. The health-related quality of life of this sample was compared to a healthy one of the normal population.

The examinations showed that the quality of life of the patients is reduced in contrast to the healthy group when the acquired defects were located in the region of the eye and the nose. The evaluation of the scales of body concepts showed that the patient's own body image was significantly altered. Body contact with other persons and their own sexual attraction was perceived as remarkably diminished. The patients believed that they spread an unpleasant odor. It is surprising that the wearers of a facial prosthesis indicated that they did not notice a restriction in the acceptance of their body by others. The influence of the application of camouflage did not have an impact on the quality of life.

To improve the restricted quality of life, to the raise the reduced well-being and to strengthen the altered body experience, psychological care should be provided besides further optimization of the surgical-epithetic therapy and the camouflage technique.