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Provision of physiotherapy rehabilitation following neck dissection in the UK

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2018

M Robinson ,
L Ward ,
H Mehanna ,
V Paleri  and
S C Winter
M Robinson
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, University of Oxford
L Ward
Affiliation:
Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford
H Mehanna
Affiliation:
Institute of Head and Neck Studies and Education, University of Birmingham
V Paleri
Affiliation:
Department of Head and Neck Surgery, University of Newcastle, UK
S C Winter*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, University of Oxford
*
Address for correspondence: Mr Stuart Winter, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Churchill Hospital, Headington, Oxford, UK E-mail: stuart.winter@ouh.nhs.uk
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Abstract

Background

Neck dissection is associated with post-operative shoulder dysfunction in a substantial number of patients, affecting quality of life and return to work. There is no current UK national practice regarding physiotherapy after neck dissection.

Method

Nine regional centres were surveyed to determine their standard physiotherapy practice pre- and post-neck dissection, and to determine pre-emptive physiotherapy for any patients.

Results

Eighty-nine per cent of centres never arranged any pre-emptive physiotherapy for any patients. Thirty-three per cent of centres offered routine in-patient physiotherapy after surgery. No centres offered out-patient physiotherapy for all patients regardless of symptoms. Seventy-eight per cent offered physiotherapy for patients with any symptoms, with 11 per cent offering physiotherapy for those with severe dysfunction only. Eleven per cent of centres never offered physiotherapy for any dysfunction.

Conclusion

The provision of physiotherapy is most commonly reactive rather than proactive, and usually driven by patient request. There is little evidence of pre-arranged physiotherapy for patients to treat or prevent shoulder dysfunction in the UK.

Keywords

Neck DissectionPhysical Therapy ModalitiesOtolaryngologyMalignancy
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 132 , Issue 7 , July 2018 , pp. 624 - 627
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited, 2018 

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Footnotes

Mr S Winter takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

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