Functional and quality of life outcomes for head and neck cancer patients following jaw reconstruction

All patients aged >18 years who are to undergo jaw reconstruction of the mandible or maxilla (with or without Virtual Surgical Planning (VSP)) from all participating sites will be invited to participate in the prospective cohort study. This study is for patients undergoing jaw reconstruction, this surgery is independent of the study and therefore eligibility is not dependent on enrolling in the study. Patients will be asked to complete a short survey assessing Quality of Life (QoL) and functional outcomes at baseline (prior to reconstructive surgery) and at the following intervals post-operatively, measured from the date of surgery: 3-months, 6-months, 12-months, then every 12-months up to 10 years. These questionnaires can be done in person, or posted out to the participant and returned. They can also be done online. These questionnaires will take approximately 20 minutes. If in person, the study coordinators will meet participants at their standing appointments and provide the questionnaire. For participants at Chris O'Brien Lifehouse only, two measures will be administered by trained clinicians (speech pathologists) to measure i) speech intelligibility and ii) swallowing function. Intelligibility of speech will be assessed by a trained speech pathologist at the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, either face-to-face or via internet telehealth systems. PArticipants will read a passage of text and clinicians will analyse it. This will take approximately 5 minutes. For swallowing function, the Functional Intake Oral Score (FOIS) is a clinician-administered score that will be determined by a trained speech pathologist to measure functional oral intake of food and liquids. This will take approximately 5 minutes.