Psychological assessments should be completed on potential candidates of laryngeal transplantations. Most importantly, patients must demonstrate self-interest in obtaining a transplant rather than being externally motivated by family members or a significant other. The patient’s cognitive function should be at or near baseline in order to fully understand the complexity of the surgery, weighing the risks and benefits in order to make the best-educated decision for oneself. Potential candidates need to understand that the potential complications include lifelong immunosuppression for the potential possibility of improved communication. Immunosupression is needed in a transplant to decrease the risk of organ rejection. This requires compliance with drug regiments by the recipient indefinitely. The patient should be prepared for the possibility of a transplant rejection as well as unpredictable outcomes. During the post-operative period, patients may experience similar symptoms other transplant patients have reported such as anxiety, depression, and stress reactions.
A patient may consider his/her voice to be an integral part of his/her identity. Therefore, a new laryngeal mechanism (voice box) may cause some self-identification problems that the patient will need to work through following surgery. More research is needed in this area, with such a new surgical procedure. There has also been little to no research on the psychological effects of transplantation in regards to the families of the recipient. However, families will benefit from advice given by the multidisciplinary team on how to help the patient and the best ways to encourage the patient. Families should also be aware of the potential risks and lifelong consequences of such an invasive procedure (Narula, Bradley, Carding, Hakim, Rumsey & Sokol, 2011).
Resource:
Narula, T., Bradley, P., Carding, P., Hakim, N., Rumsey, N., & Sokol, D. (2011). Laryngeal transplantation . London: The Royal College of Surgeons of England.
No comments:
Post a Comment