Health-related quality of life and scar satisfaction in a cohort of children operated on for sacrococcygeal teratoma

Aim: The aims of this study were to evaluate health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in children with sacrococcygeal teratoma and to explore the effect of the scar on physical, emotional and behavioral aspects. Methods: A cohort of children operated on for sacrococcygeal teratoma between 2000 and 2013 at Lund University Hospital, Sweden, and their parents were interviewed. HRQoL was evaluated with PedsQL, and scar satisfaction was estimated through Patient Observer Scar Assessment Score (POSA). Results: All eligible children (n = 17) were included (100% response rate). Median age was 7.3 years (range 3.5-16.0). Mean total PedsQL score was 92.3 (range 72.0 to 99.0). Patients with comorbidity scored lower (87.5) than those without (95.0) (p < 0.05). Pain during sitting down was reported by two (20%) patients, and itching was reported by another two patients (20%) aged > 8 years. No children reported that they avoided situations due to the scar, and most (80% of children and 90% of parents) reported absent or only mild negative emotions when considering the scar. Conclusion: Children with sacrococcygeal teratoma had a good overall HRQoL, but comorbidity reduced the outcome. A few children reported scar-related impact on physical, behavioral and emotional aspects.