FLiGS Score: A New Method of Outcome Assessment for Lip Carcinoma–Treated Patients

BACKGROUND: Lip cancer and its treatment have considerable functional and cosmetic effects with resultant nutritional and physical detriments. As we continue to investigate new treatment regimens, we are simultaneously required to assess postoperative outcomes to design interventions that lessen the adverse impact of this disease process. We wish to introduce Functional Lip Glasgow Scale (FLiGS) score as a new method of outcome assessment to measure the effect of lip cancer and its treatment on patients’ daily functioning. METHODS: Fifty patients affected by lip squamous cell carcinoma were recruited between 2009 and 2013. Patients were asked to fill the FLiGS questionnaire before surgery, 1 month, 6 months, and 1 year after surgery. The subscores were used to calculate a total FLiGS score of global oral disability. Statistical analysis was performed to test validity and reliability. RESULTS: FLiGS scores improved significantly from preoperative to 12 months postoperative values (P = 0.000). Statistical evidence of validity was provided through r(s) (Spearman correlation coefficient) that resulted >0.30 for all surveys and for which P < 0.001. FLiGS score reliability was shown through examination of internal consistency and test-retest reliability. CONCLUSIONS: FLiGS score is a simple way of assessing functional impairment related to lip cancer before and after surgery; it is sensitive, valid, reliable, and clinically relevant: it provides useful information to orient the physician in the postoperative management and in the rehabilitation program.