Description

The protocol, which is done during the usual follow-up consultation of the patient by the maxillo-facial surgeon, is divided into 3 parts:

PART 1: Collection of Data and Consent

• Patient Data:
• Date of visit and inclusion in the study
• Patient initials
• Age
• Gender (male or female)
• The weight
• The size
• Verification of inclusion and non-inclusion criteria:
• General patient history:
• Patient history
• Ongoing Treatments
• Professional activity
• Tumor:
• Features
• Location
• TNM
• Histological type
• Search for risk factors for peripheral neuropathy
• Check for symptoms of peripheral neuropathy.

PART 2: Collecting Treatment Data

• Operating data:
• Operation date
• Type of surgery
• Duration of surgery
• Severed sensory nerves
• Perioperative complications
• On the way out:
• Adjuvant treatment including radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy.
• Exit analgesic treatment
• EN (Numerical Scale)

PART 3: Collection of data related to neurosensory disorders and pain

• Analgesics consumed
• Questionnaire DN4 for each operated area separated according to the curage, lumpectomy and reconstruction if they take place.
• If DN4 positive, completion of the QCD and QEDN questionnaires.
• Clinical examination for sensory disturbances reported on a chart.
• Generic quality of life questionnaire adapted to cancer pathology EORTC QLQC30 and its specific Head and Neck35 add-on module adapted to head and neck cancers.
• Thermotest and hot water, cold water (for the oral cavity)
• HADS Questionnaire
• Catastrophe Questionnaire
• Quantitative sensory testing (QST) for neuropathic patients :

Mechanical neurosensory disorders will be tested with the Von frey filament and the brush.

• Hypoesthesia or mechanical anaesthesia will be sought with the Von Frey filament and the brush.
• Mechanical hypersensitivity, a painful sensation exacerbated by a sharp, non-traumatic object, will be sought with a large calibre Von Frey filament.
• Static Allodynia, felt painful on contact, will be sought at Von Frey's filament.
• Dynamic Allodynia, felt painful when rubbed, will be sought with a wide brush (8 mm) over a distance of several centimetres.

Thermal neurosensory disorders will be sought for the skin with the Thermotest and at the level of the oral cavity with the application of standardised test tubes containing water at 4°C stored in the fridge or hot water at 63°C (the protocol consists of heating water at 4°C in the microwave for 30 seconds to obtain the temperature of 63°C); these examinations will allow the evaluation of thermal allodynia and hypoesthesia.

The examination will cover the entire face, the oral cavity, the cervical region and the area where the reconstruction flaps are taken. The pathological areas identified will be delimited on diagrams previously made with a coding according to the sensations collected.