Evaluation of functions after reconstruction for wide resection of oropharyngeal cancer

—Gehanno's method—

Abstract

The oropharynx is an anatomically and physiologically complicated organ, and challenging problems regarding postoperative functions of speech and swallowing remain in reconstructive surgery after wide resection of the lateral and superior wall of the oropharynx. We evaluated the speech and swallowing functions after surgical treatment of oropharyngeal cancer. Between 2000 and 2009, 17 patients underwent wide resection and reconstruction of the oropharyngeal cancer at Tokai University Hospital. In 13 patients, the surgical defect was reconstructed by Gehanno's method. The functional outcome of speech and swallowing was assessed by a subjective scale and videoendoscopic examination of swallowing for all 13 patients. The speech and swallowing functions were satisfactory. These results suggest that Gehanno's method is valuable for surgical treatment of oropharyngeal cancer.