Evaluation of functional disorders following glossectomy and radical neck dissection

Abstract

We examined speech intelligibility after glossectomy and analyzed electromyograms (EMG) of myoelectrical activity of the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles at various head positions after radical neck dissection. Speech intelligibiljty after glossectomy became lower the larger the area of resection. Although articulation was very good in the case of partial glossectomy, it was markedly impaired with hemiglossectomy. However, patients who had reconstruction by a pectoralis major myocutaneous flap operation were able to recover an essentially normal social life.Analysis of electromyograms after radical neck dissection revealed compensatory activities in the middle part of the sternocleidomastoid muscle with ventral flexion, and in the trapezius muscle on the side of the operation with ipsilateral tilting.