Reconstruction for oral cancers and evaluation of speech function following glossectomy

Abstract

Because the oral and maxillofacial region is concerned with articulation, swallowing, mastication and esthetics, excision of oral cancers can have a large impact on function and cosmetics, thus affecting the patient's quality of life. Oral reconstruction is designed to restore function and esthetics, thus permitting surgical resection in cases of advanced oral cancers. However, an accurate, objective postoperative evaluation of these problems is often not done. I would like to explain the techniques of oral reconstruction, and the results of our investigations into speech intelligibility following glossectomy.