Postoperative oral function of oral cancer patients after glossectomy and mandibulectomy

Abstract

Postoperative oral function of recent oral cancer patients has been studied, and the results was compared from various points of view. In this paper, we investigated oral function from the point of the size of excision and reconstructive method. For 24 patients after glossectomy and mandibulectomy, tongue mobility was tested and mastication and swallowing ability were examined by questionnaire. The results were as follows: Functions were limited in proportion to the extent of tongue resection. In addition, resection of oral floor affected tongue mobility, and swallowing ability was lowered by tongue base resection. There was little defference in function among the patients who have been reconstructed by free flaps and myocutaneous flaps. Patients with marginal resection of mandibule, showed better mastication than those with segmental resection, and this was concerned with dental rehabilitation. Whether mandibule was reconstructed by plate or bone was not significantly different in our results, but this may affect occlusal rehabilitation.