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Reconstruction After Glossectomy

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Tongue Lesions

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Abstract

The oral tongue is the most common site of oral cavity malignancy and presents a significant reconstructive challenge due to its highly specialized function [1]. The oral tongue has a lot of functions in speech and articulation, as well as mastication, oral hygiene, and the oral phase of swallowing [2]. The oropharyngeal tongue is important for the pharyngeal phase of swallowing and prevention of aspiration. Normal swallowing begins with containing the food bolus within the oral cavity. Greater volumes of tongue resection are associated with reduction in swallowing function [3–5] since the lack of adequate tongue bulk leads to premature spillage into the pharynx [6]. Thus, the defect left by resecting malignant tumors dramatically affects speech, mastication, swallowing, and general quality of life. A variety of options are available to the head and neck surgeon for reconstruction.

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  1. Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt

    Mahmoud F. Sakr

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Sakr, M.F. (2022). Reconstruction After Glossectomy. In: Tongue Lesions. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-08198-9_17

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-08198-9_17

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