Abstract

In 32 patients with carcinoma of the tongue, oral floor and oropharynx, functions of articulation and swallowing were studied. More than half of the tounge was removed in 23 cases of oral carcinoma, and two or more sites were excised in 9 cases of oropharyngeal carcinoma. Articulation function was evaluated with Japanese monosyllables. For the oral carcinoma, understandable monosyllables ranged from 7 to 82%, depending on the size of the resection. Reconstruction with a myocutaneous flap had little effect on articulation. From 11 to 76% of monosyllables were understandable for the oropharyngeal carcinoma . After wide resection of the base of tongue, articulation was poor. Articulation was moderately disturbed by combined resection of hard palate, and restored well by reconstruction with a rectus abdominalis myocutaneous flap. Four cases out of 32 intook the liquid food only, and four patients somtimes aspirated a small amount of liquid. No patients needed the feeding tube. The function of articulation was significantly correlated with that of swallowing.