Search

Background: Reconstruction of soft tissue defects following surgical tumor resection is important for quality of life in cancer patients with oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). This study presents a novel computer-aided reconstruction of soft tissue (CARST) technology employed with these patients. Methods: We first described the CARST technology in detail in a report of a 34-year-old male patient with locally invasive right-sided tongue SCC following a nearly total glossectomy and reported the postoperative outcomes. This digital technology was applied to construct a 3D model from CT images, which was used to delineate surgical resection boundaries and design a personalized reconstruction of the soft tissue defect. A nonuniform rational B-spline (NURBS) was generated and applied to transform the 3D model into a 2D flap-cutting guide printed out using a 3D printer. We then reported a case-series study on oral and oropharyngeal SCC patients who were randomly assigned to receive the CARST (n = 15) or a traditional soft tissue reconstruction (n = 15). Clinicopathological features and short- and long-term postoperative outcomes between the two groups were compared. Results: The patient with the tongue SCC had a successful CARST following surgical tumor resection without any complications. His speech and swallowing functions recovered well after surgery and he experienced no significant changes to his appearance following recovery. There was no recurrence within a 3-year follow-up period. Results of the case-series study showed that the CARST group had significantly shorter operative and post-operation hospital-stay time, a higher flap utilization rate, and a trend of less and milder postoperative complications, and they experienced no significant difference in intraoperative blood loss and long-term outcomes compared to the traditional group. Conclusion: CARST is a safer and more efficient personalized technology of soft tissue reconstruction following surgical tumor resection in patients with oral and oropharyngeal SCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To assess the feasibility of radial forearm free flap (RFFF) reconstruction of glossectomy defects without tracheostomy tube (TT). Methods: Retrospective review of patients with at least oral tongue defects who underwent RFFF reconstruction. Pre- and intra-operative factors were documented. Post-operative respiratory complications included inability to extubate, pneumonia, or need for re-intubation or TT within 30 days. Results: Twenty-one patients underwent RFFF reconstruction without TT, and 36 patients with TT. The average hospital length of stay was 1.5 days shorter in those without TT (P <.01). Two patients who underwent TT placement experienced a respiratory complication (P =.27). There were no respiratory complications among those without TT. After multivariate analyses, large tongue base defect (>25% resection, P <.001) and bilateral neck dissection (P <.001) were independently associated with TT placement. Conclusions: In our experience, RFFF reconstruction of glossectomy defects is feasible without TT among selected patients with small tongue base defects (≤25% resection) and unilateral neck dissection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the functional and oncological outcomes of total glossectomy with laryngeal preservation (TGLP) compared to near-total glossectomy with laryngeal preservation (nTGLP). Methods: In this retrospective study, the data of 23 patients who underwent either TGLP or nTGLP between January 2010 and December 2020 in a tertiary university hospital were analyzed. The data including demographic findings, tumor stage, extent of surgery and technique, method of reconstruction, complications, overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS), and tracheostomy and gastric tube dependence during follow-up were assessed. Results: Of the 23 eligible patients, 15 had undergone nTGLP (Group 1) and 8 had undergone TGLP (Group 2). Tracheostomy dependence and gastric tube dependence rates at the sixth month were 3/19 (15.7%) and 12/19 (63.1%), respectively, with no significant differences between the two groups. OS and RFS at one year were 47.6% and 27.8%, respectively, for the study population. OS rate showed significance with nodal positivity and extranodal extension (p=0.004 for both) only, but not within patient groups (p=0.734). Conclusion: Both TGLP and nTGLP are feasible treatment options in patients with advanced tongue cancer with no differences in terms of functional and oncological results. Survival rates are still not satisfactory, and recurrences are high despite appropriate treatments. Proper selection of patients who are highly motivated and willing for long-term postoperative rehabilitation is essential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To show treatment of tongue base lesions, using a translingual technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Series of cases treated for 25 years, with ectopic thyroid with obstruction or dyspnea, through a translingual approach. RESULTS: There were included 8 patients with lingual thyroid, in whom oral resection was used through medial glossectomy. All the resections were done without morbidities, minimal bleeding, with a follow-up of 1-5 years. CONCLUSIONS: The approach offers good results, quick recovery and reintegration, without complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The oral tongue is considered the most frequently involved site in cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Lymph node (LN) density, defined as the number of positive LNs divided by the total number of resected LNs, is considered an important prognostic factor in OSCC; however the cut-off point remains uncertain. A retrospective study was performed involving 104 patients who underwent a glossectomy procedure for oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC) between the years 2008 and 2018. LN density and other related prognostic factors, including pathological N-stage (pN), extranodal extension (ENE), perineural invasion (PNI), and depth of invasion (DOI), were investigated in relation to survival and recurrence rates. pN + stage, the presence of ENE, the presence of PNI, and increased DOI were found to be associated with increased LN density values, as well as lower patient survival and higher recurrence rates. The statistical analysis identified a cut-off point for LN density of 2.5%. In advanced stage disease, LN density values above 2.5% had a significant impact on the survival rate (P = 0.005), as well as the recurrence rate (P = 0.038). In conclusion, in addition to other previously known prognostic factors, LN density may serve as a strong prognostic factor for survival and recurrence in patients with advanced- and early-stage OTSCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Submandibular gland resection is a controversial issue in patients with oral tongue squamous cell carcinomas (SCC). This study aimed to determine the frequency of submandibular gland involvement in patients who had undergone elective submandibular gland resection following oral tongue SCC. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional retrospective study was performed between 2001 and 2017 on patients with oral tongue SCC who had undergone glossectomy in a referral center for otorhinolaryngology surgery, Shiraz, Iran. Results: In this study, 131 patients were included. Their mean age was 59.84 years (range: 19-86). The mean tumor size was 2.83 cm (range 0.3-7). The vast majority (92%) of the patients were at stage III-IVa and had well (55%) to moderate (31%) differentiated tumor. The mean diameter of the submandibular gland was 3.87 cm (range: 1.5-6 cm). There was only one (0.76%) patient with submandibular involvement. She was an 80-year-old woman with a T2 well differentiated tumor without cervical lymph node involvement in the neck node dissection. Conclusion: In patients with oral tongue SCC, submandibular gland involvement is rare and its elective resection in not recommended.

Objectives: To describe the clinicopathological characteristics and determinants of survival of patients with mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) of the tongue. Method: Retrospective population-based study was conducted using the data of patients diagnosed with MEC of the tongue from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database between 2004 and 2016. Results: A total of 200 cases of MEC of the tongue were identified. The cohort was composed of 56.5% females. The mean age at diagnosis was 58.8 years. The base of the tongue was the most common primary site (72.5%). Most cases (80.9%) presented with T1 and T2. Lymph node metastases was present in 40.9% of cases, while distant metastases only observed in 2.2% of cases. Overall survival (OS) at 2, 5, and 10 years was 80.2%, 69.8%, and 52.4%, respectively. 77.5 percent of cases (155/200) underwent surgery, and 66 cases received both surgery and radiation therapy. Patients with post-operative radiation had much longer disease-specific survival (DSS). Advanced T stage, distant metastasis contributed independently to shorter OS, while the use of surgery is an independently favorable prognostic factor for OS. In addition, an OS-specific nomogram was established, and the C-index for OS prediction was 0.74 (95% CI 0.67–0.81). Conclusion: This rare malignancy is associated with a generally favorable prognosis, and T stage, distant metastasis as well as surgical therapy are independent predictors of OS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surgeons treating advanced carcinoma of the tongue with total glossectomy face many conflicts in view of the morbidity and poor functional and survival outcomes following surgery. It is pertinent to study the patients undergoing total tongue compartment resection as a separate cohort to analyse their outcomes. This study investigated the oncological outcomes of 150 patients with advanced tongue squamous cell carcinoma who underwent total glossectomy. The results suggest that compartment resection significantly improved local control, irrespective of margin status. The presence of multiple positive nodes was found to be an independent poor prognostic factor, and adjuvant radiation significantly improved survival. Total glossectomy is feasible and safe in both the primary and salvage setting and should be considered as the surgical option for advanced tongue cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Oral cavity cancer is the most frequent malignancy within head and neck tumors. The standard curative treatment corresponds to radical surgery whose outcome can significantly impact the function and morphology of the resected subsite. The transfer of free flaps by means of microvascular surgical techniques allows to expand the capacity of oncologic resection in a safe way with an adequate success rate limiting the sequelae. Case report: 48-year-old male with locally advanced oral tongue cancer treated surgically with extended left hemi glossectomy, bilateral cervical lymph node dissection and micro vascularized reconstruction with a radial antebrachial free flap. Discussion: 30% to 35% of oral cavity neoplasms present as locally advanced disease. Intraoral reconstruction is often a challenge. Surgical planning of the anatomic and functional defect are important in choosing the reconstruction option and assessing the risk of postoperative complications. Conclusion: The use of microvascular free flaps in oncologic reconstruction is essential to restore the volume and function of tissues affected by radical resection. The radial antebrachial free flap is a versatile tool due to its physical characteristics and low rate of complications at the donor site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To design an efficient tongue prosthesis with reproducibility and to objectively evaluate improvement in speech function. Methods: A silicon anatomical artificial tongue (AT) and a flat surface artificial tongue system (FTS) were used in our study. Twenty healthy participants (10 males and 10 females, 26.3 ± 1.8 years) were fitted with a tongue movement suppression appliance (TSA) that fit the dental arch to simulate the glossectomy condition. TSA, TSA + FTS, and TSA + AT simulated the state of glossectomy patients without artificial tongue, with normal artificial tongue, and newly designed artificial tongue, respectively. Three speech intelligibility tests were performed for each of the following conditions: pronouncing 100 Japanese monosyllables, 40 Japanese words, and reading a short story. One-way ANOVA, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and Tukey-Kramer post-hoc test were used for statistical analyses. Results: Significant differences were observed for 100 Japanese monosyllables and 40 Japanese words between the TSA + FTS, TSA, and TSA + AT conditions (p < 0.05). Regarding the speech intelligibility test for reading a short story, the TSA + FTS condition resulted in a significantly higher speech intelligibility than the TSA and TSA + AT conditions (p < 0.05). Conclusion: A flat surface artificial tongue system contributed to the improvement in speech function. This structure can be easily used in cases where conventional artificial tongue are applicable, regardless of variation in the oral condition; thus, making it a widely applicable treatment option for glossectomy patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Macroglossia is a characteristic feature of Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS), commonly treated with reduction glossectomy to restore form and function. There exists no consensus on the perioperative management of these patients undergoing tongue reduction surgery, including anecdotal information regarding how long postoperative intubation should be maintained. The aim of this study is to evaluate the necessity of prolonged postoperative intubation in patients receiving tongue reduction surgery via the surgical and anesthetic management methods at our center. Design: Retrospective case series. Setting: Institutional care at Level I Children's Hospital. Participants: All children less than 18 years old with BWS and congenital macroglossia who underwent tongue reduction surgery over 5 consecutive years at our center (N = 24). Interventions: Tongue reduction surgery via the "W" technique. Main Outcome Measures: Success of immediate postoperative extubation and related surgical complications. Results: Immediate, uncomplicated postoperative extubation was successfully performed in all patients who received tongue reduction surgery for congenital macroglossia. Conclusions: Prolonged postoperative intubation for tongue reduction surgery may not be necessary as immediate, uncomplicated postoperative extubation was achieved in 100% of patients who received tongue reduction surgery at our center. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers usually require extensive surgeries accompanied by damages to anatomical structures and impaired speech function. The use of reconstructive-plastic techniques to replace defects after surgical resection allows the creation of a favorable functional basis for speech restoration.The purpose of the study was to compare the effectiveness and terms of speech restoration in patients with oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers after surgical treatment using various reconstructive surgery techniques to restore postoperative defects.Material and Methods. Speech rehabilitation results were analyzed in 56 patients with stage II–IV oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers. The age of the patients ranged from 26 to 70 years. The patients underwent either hemiglossectomy or glossectomy followed by reconstructive surgery. Postoperative speech rehabilitation was performed according to the technique developed in the Department of Head and Neck Tumors of the Cancer Research Institute. Speech function was assessed before starting treatment, at the beginning of treatment and after completion of speech rehabilitation.Results. After surgery, all patients demonstrated impaired speech function, ranging from distorted pronunciation to the complete absence of verbal communication for 5 (71.4%) and 4 (80%) patients from Ib and IIb respectively. Speech rehabilitation started 16 to 32 days after surgery. Restoration of the activity and coordination of the articulatory apparatus muscles, speech exhalation and reconstructed tongue was followed by a sound pronunciation. Postoperative speech rehabilitation allowed improvement of speech function in 100 % of cases (56 patients). A complete speech restoration was achieved for 7 patients (12.5%). The majority of these patients were from the group with hemiglossectomy. In the group of patients with glossectomy, the amplitude and coordination of movements, which could be achieved by performing articulation exercises for the reconstructed tongue, depended on the size of the remaining part of their own tissues.Conclusion. Good values of all studied parameters were observed in patients, who underwent hemiglossectomy followed by reconstruction with a free revascularized flap. No statistically significant differences between the studied parameters were found in patients, who underwent glossectomy. Speech restoration parameters were significantly better in the group of patients with hemiglossectomy and reconstruction with a free revascularized flap than in the group of patients with glossectomy).

Abstract Background In cattle, the lingual diseases are primarily diagnosed postmortem by histopathological examination of the affected tongues obtained after the death or during necropsy. In humans, ultrasonography has been used to provide differential diagnoses, and for preoperative or intraoperative planning of glossectomy in various lingual diseases. This is a bovine clinical case report, in which ultrasonography for sudden swelling of the tongue, which was possibly caused by snake bite, was utilized as a preoperative indication to perform a glossectomy. Case presentation An eight-month-old female Japanese black calf presented with sudden swelling of the tongue with well-defined discoloration in the cranial region. A 10-MHz linear probe on a portable-type ultrasound machine (MyLabOne VET, Esaote Co., Genova, Italy) was applied to the ventral surface of the tongues in the affected case, and also in five healthy calves under sedation to observe normal tongues. Ultrasonography of the swollen tongue in this case revealed that the ventral lingual muscular layers were severely thickened compared with those of normal tongues. However, the muscle layers were regularly aligned with the echogenic muscular fibers. This resembled the lingual muscular architectures of normal tongues. Color-flow Doppler ultrasonography revealed that blood flow was weakened in the small peripheral vessels in the spaces between the lingual muscular structures, and was lacking in the deep lingual artery between the apex and base of the tongue. This finding was very different than that of normal tongues, which exhibited weakened or rich blood flows. Based on ultrasonographic findings, this case was treated with glossectomy. After recovery, the calf grew up normally with a normal appetite and rumination, and did not exhibit mouth pain behavior. Histopathologically, hemorrhagic necrotic changes, together with focal formation of fibrin thrombus in the lingual blood vessels in the affected tongue, were noted. Conclusions To the best of our knowledge, the present report is the first description of lingual ultrasonography performed in cattle. In this case, ultrasonography enabled visualization of decreased vascularity, which might be associated with hemorrhage or formation of fibrin thrombus in the suddenly swollen tongue presented.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a partial glossectomy on volumetric changes of pharyngeal airway space (PAS) in patients with mandibular setback surgery. Overall, 25 patients showing clinical features related to macroglossia treated with mandibular setback surgery were included in this retrospective study. Subjects were divided into two groups: the control group (G1, n = 13, with BSSRO) and the study group (G2, n = 12, with both BSSRO and partial glossectomy). The PAS volume of both groups was measured by the OnDemand 3D program on CBCT taken shortly before operation (T0), 3 months post-operative (T1), and 6 months post-operative (T2). A paired t-test and repeated analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used for statistical correlation. Total PAS and hypopharyngeal airway space were increased after operation in Group 2 compared to Group 1 (p < 0.05), while oropharyngeal airway space showed no significant statistical difference with the tendency of increasing. The combination of partial glossectomy and BSSRO surgical techniques had a significant effect on increasing the hypopharyngeal and total airway space in class III malocclusion patients (p < 0.05).

Introduction: The extent of surgical resection for tongue tumors is determined by tumor size, potentially affecting oral function and quality of life (QoL). However, the relationship between oral dysfunction and QoL decline due to glossectomy extent remains unexplored. Therefore, these correlations and their predictive value for postoperative QoL decline were elucidated., Methods: Patients treated for tongue cancer at our hospital between 2018 and 2022 were categorized by partial, hemi, or subtotal/total glossectomy. Assessments included swallowing function (RSST), articulation (Oral Diadochokinesis (ODK)), mastication, tongue pressure, and oral moisture. QoL was measured using the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14). Differences within parameters were assessed using Kruskal-Wallis tests, and between-group comparisons via Mann-Whitney U tests. Spearman's correlation analysis examined parameter relationship., Results: 35 patients were evaluated. Significant differences were found in ODK [ta] (p = 0.015), [ka] (p = 0.0006), tongue pressure (p = 0.0001), moisture levels (p = 0.031), OHIP-14 domains: physical disability (p = 0.014) and social disability (p = 0.046). ODK [ta] (PG: 5.95, HG: 5.38, TG: 4.03 times), [ka] (PG: 5.56, HG: 4.78, TG: 3.23 times), and tongue pressure (PG: 32.9, HG: 21.2, TG: 10.3 mmHg) decreased with glossectomy extent, while physical (PG: 0.27, HG: 2.38, TG: 2.00) and social disability (PG: 0.18, HG: 0.94, TG: 1.43) worsened. A significant negative correlation was observed between tongue pressure and social disability (p = 0.013, r = -0.36)., Conclusion: Expanding resection significantly impacted postoperative oral function and QoL. Tongue pressure assessment may predict long-term social disability in patient QoL., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Total glossectomy with laryngectomy (TGL) is a procedure with high morbidity/mortality risks reserved for cases of advanced tongue cancer with laryngeal invasion. This technique is controversial as there are significant impacts on quality of life, including loss of functional speech and swallowing. A systematic review was performed following the PRISMA guidelines with the primary goal of quantifying the functional outcomes and overall survival of patients undergoing TGL. The initial search resulted in 748 studies; seven of these met the inclusion criteria. Five studies evaluated functional speech postoperatively, and 12.1% (8/66) of patients in these studies achieved a form of functional speech. Most studies did not refer to the use of specific postoperative voice rehabilitation. Regarding swallowing function, 53.3% (32/60) of patients in five studies regained their ability to swallow. In six studies reporting gastrostomy tube dependence, 37.7% (29/77) of patients were tube-dependent. Recurrence within 1-year was reported in three studies; 52% (26/50) of the patients had recurrence within 1 year, and the 1-year disease-free survival rate was 48%. TGL is a highly invasive surgery; postoperatively, most patients do not regain the ability to speak, while only half are able to swallow. Despite these extreme efforts and sacrifices by the patient, approximately half of patients have a recurrence within the first year. The decision to perform a TGL should be made only in select and motivated patients after carefully explaining and weighing the oncological and quality of life risks and benefits., Competing Interests: Competing interests None., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) is one of the most prevalent types of head and neck malignancies, and its treatment typically involves surgery combined with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Despite advancements in treatment, TSCC recurrence remains a significant concern, affecting approximately 20% of treated patients. This study aims to assess the impact of the time interval between radiotherapy and surgery on oncological outcomes in TSCC patients. A total of 215 patient records (98 females and 117 males) with biopsy-proven TSCC receiving various treatments were extracted. The Inclusion criteria were patients who received external beam radiotherapy, had no detectable metastasis, underwent oncological surgery, and received a minimum radiation dose of 60 Gy. Ultimately, 108 patients met these criteria and were included in the analysis. The surgical procedure involved glossectomy, and the prescribed radiotherapy dose exceeded 60 Gy. Patients were stratified based on tumor stage (early-stage and locally advanced stage) and the timing of radiotherapy initiation after surgery (less than 47 days and more than 47 days). The study analyzed loco-regional control, loco-regional recurrence, disease-free survival, and overall survival as endpoints. These endpoints were compared between different subgroups based on tumor stage and surgery to radiotherapy interval. A retrospective analysis was conducted on the medical records of 108 patients who underwent surgical treatment followed by radiotherapy between 2011 and 2022. In early-stage patients, radiotherapy within 47 days after surgery demonstrated superior disease-free survival (DFS) outcomes. However, in locally advanced-stage patients, the opposite trend was observed, with a longer interval between surgery and radiotherapy associated with improved DFS outcomes. These patterns were similarly reflected in overall survival (OS) outcomes. Notably, the difference in loco-regional recurrence (LLR) outcomes was more pronounced among advanced-stage patients. In conclusion, this study highlights that advanced-stage TSCC patients tend to experience earlier recurrence, potentially necessitating additional surgical interventions or precluding the administration of radiotherapy, as investigated in our study. These findings shed light on the significance of the time interval between surgery and radiotherapy in TSCC management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND. Cancer of the oral cavity is one of the most common malignancies of which 60% affect the tongue. Carcinoma of the tongue causes significant alterations of the articulatory and swallowing functions. The gold standard of care remains primary surgical resection with or without postoperative adjuvant therapy. Whereas T1 and T2 tongue tumors can be treated with more conservative surgeries, as partial glossectomies, the larger tumors require total and aggressive glossectomies which increase survival, but, on the other hand, they might often make speech, chewing and swallowing impossible. MATERIAL AND METHODS. Our study was performed on a total of 21 patients with Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the tongue who underwent either partial resection or hemiglossectomy. Each subject (either surgical patients or controls) was asked to pronounce the vowels /a/, /e/, /i/, /u/, and all signals were evaluated separately by two operators. Acoustic (F0, jitter, shimmer, NHR) and vowel metric (the ratio F2i/F2u, tVSA, qVSA, FCR) features have been extracted. In order to define the speech intelligibility, all patients were evaluated by two doctors and one speech therapist and all patients received the Speech Handicap Index (SHI) translated into Italian language before recording. RESULTS. No statistically significant variations were observed, regardless of the gender, between controls and surgically resected patients when tumor staging was T1-T2. On the contrary, when patients had to undergo more extensive surgical resection due to the presence of a T3-T4 tumor, a dramatic increase of F2u could be observed. This change, together with a decrease of F2i, led to a highly significant reduction in the F2i/F2u parameter in surgically resected patients as compared to controls. The other parameters which were reduced in a statistically significant manner in T3-T4 surgically resected patients were tVSA and qVSA. Instead, two parameters increased in a statistically significant manner in T3-T4 surgically resected patients: FCR and SHI. Again, none of the above-mentioned parameters was altered in a statistically significant manner in early tumor stage resected patients, regardless of the gender. CONCLUSION. For the first time, we used a series of newly developed formant parameters, introduced by various authors for the study of the articulatory undershoot of the tongue in various neurodegenerative diseases. The statistical analysis of our results highlighted in an incontrovertible way a strong correlation and significance of each of our parameters F2 / i / / F2 / u /, FCR, tVSA, qVSA, with the entity of the TNM, and therefore of the surgical extension of the resection, and in parallel with the loss of the intelligibility of the speech that proportionally reaches higher values in the advanced stages of the disease as can be deduced from the SHI trend. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent eighth edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system has introduced depth of invasion (DOI) as one of its important components. DOI is also important for deciding neck management in superficial tongue cancers. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is mainly used to assess DOI, and in this study we have evaluated the efficacy of MRI to detect it. This is a retrospective study consisting of 60 treatment-naïve tongue cancer patients operated on between July 2017 and June 2019. Patients underwent MR imaging on an Optima MR450W 1.5T unit, and MRI was reported by two experienced head and neck radiologists. Postoperative histological DOI was considered the gold standard. The correlation coefficient was derived for postoperative DOI and MRI-detected DOI. A subgroup analysis of superficial tongue cancer was also done. The mean MRI DOI was 13.7 mm and the mean histological DOI 12.45 mm. The shrinkage factor was 0.6 mm. Pearson's correlation coefficient was 0.80 (p=<0.001) for Radiologist 1 and 0.85 (p=<0.001) for Radiologist 2. The interobserver variation was low, with a correlation coefficient between the two radiologists of 0.965 (p=<0.001). For superficial tongue cancers there was moderate correlation for MRI and histologically-detected DOI with a kappa value of 0.681 (p=0.03). As per the ROC curve, the cut-off value for MRI DOI to predict nodal metastasis was 4.6 mm. MRI has high reliability to predict the DOI of tongue cancers. The interobserver variation was low. The diagnostic accuracy in cases of superficial tongue cancer was moderate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evaluation of speech outcomes after resection and reconstruction of the oral tongue remains largely unsystematic. A cross-sectional study was performed to analyse the speech outcomes of patients who underwent curative treatment with appropriate reconstruction. Sixty-nine patients were assessed for speech intelligibility and phonetics using a validated speech intelligibility assessment tool in the local language. Volume defects were classified as class I (less than one third), II (one third to half), III (half to two-thirds), or IV (two-thirds to total glossectomy). Defect location was defined as lateral, tip, or sulcus. The χ2 test and Kruskal–Wallis test were used to test volume and location as predictors. Twenty-six patients had class I defects, 29 had class II defects, seven had class III defects, and seven had class IV defects. Twenty-two patients (31.9%) received adjuvant radiotherapy. Mean vowel, consonant, word, and paragraph intelligibility were 99.27%, 86.86%, 85.52%, and 88.72%, respectively. The incremental volume of the glossectomy defect was significantly correlated with speech intelligibility scores and phonatory alterations. In classes II and III, tip resection significantly affected interdental sounds. All patients in class III had affected alveolar and alveo-palatal sounds. The results positively corroborated the volume and location of the glossectomy defect to a classification system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Six patients (4 with post-operative radiotherapy, 2 without) were formally assessed by a speech and language therapist 12 months post-operatively. Patient-reported quality of life (QOL) was simultaneously measured. Patients treated with post-operative radiotherapy had lower overall speech comprehensibility scores, poorer swallowing function in puree and solid foods and lower overall QOL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Beckwith‐Wiedemann syndrome is a complex multisystem disorder that requires collaboration of medical and dental teamfor its diagnosis and management. We present a dental overview and an update of the clinical and molecular diagnoses of Beckwith‐Wiedemann syndrome and its management with emphasis on macroglossia.

Functional and survival outcomes in patients undergoing total glossectomy compared with total laryngoglossectomy. The serratus anterior free flap (SAFF) represents an ideal free flap for tongue reconstruction providing enormous flexibility, low-donor site morbidity and adequate bulk for excellent functional restoration. Our data indicate that preoperative and postoperative formant frequencies were different compared to healthy controls, which let us hypothesise that both tumour invasion and salvage glossectomy impairs tongue movement causing a change of formant frequencies that finally impairs pronunciation and speech intelligibility. [Extracted from the article]

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the effectiveness of coblation midline glossectomy for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) when used as an isolated procedure. We also aim to compare the effect of this surgical procedure on supine and non-supine apnea.Materials and Methods: The medical records of patients who underwent isolated tongue base surgery as a part of step-wise surgeries between January 2014 and February 2019 are retrospectively reviewed. Pre-operative and post-operative Epworth sleepiness score (ESS), body mass index (BMI), and polysomnographic data, including the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), oxygen desaturation index (ODI), supine AHI, and non-supine AHI of the patients were compared.Results: The study included 29 patients (26 male and 3 female). AHI improved significantly, decreasing from 34.9 ± 20.9 to 25.8 ± 17.6. Supine AHI decreased from 62.55 ± 28.23 to 55.18 ± 31.67 post-operatively, but this decrease was not significant. Non-supine AHI decreased significantly from 22.49 ± 24.02 to 14.08 ± 17.46. ESS and ODI also improved significantly.Conclusion: Coblation midline glossectomy is an effective surgical procedure when applied solely, with a success rate of 52%. Non-supine apnea benefits to a greater degree than supine apnea from this surgical procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Successful adaptation to wearing dentures with palatal coverage may be associated with cortical activity changes related to tongue motor control. The purpose was to investigate the brain activity changes during tongue movement in response to a new oral environment. Twenty-eight fully dentate subjects (mean age: 28.6-years-old) who had no experience with removable dentures wore experimental palatal plates for 7 days. We measured tongue motor dexterity, difficulty with tongue movement, and brain activity using functional magnetic resonance imaging during tongue movement at pre-insertion (Day 0), as well as immediately (Day 1), 3 days (Day 3), and 7 days (Day 7) post-insertion. Difficulty with tongue movement was significantly higher on Day 1 than on Days 0, 3, and 7. In the subtraction analysis of brain activity across each day, activations in the angular gyrus and right precuneus on Day 1 were significantly higher than on Day 7. Tongue motor impairment induced activation of the angular gyrus, which was associated with monitoring of the tongue's spatial information, as well as the activation of the precuneus, which was associated with constructing the tongue motor imagery. As the tongue regained the smoothness in its motor functions, the activation of the angular gyrus and precuneus decreased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beckwith‐Wiedemann syndrome is a complex multisystem disorder that requires collaboration of medical and dental teamfor its diagnosis and management. We present a dental overview and an update of the clinical and molecular diagnoses of Beckwith‐Wiedemann syndrome and its management with emphasis on macroglossia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary goal for reconstruction of oral tongue defects is to improve speech and swallowing. We hypothesize that degree of oral cavity obliteration will correlate to a specific functional outcome. The purpose of this study is to present a new reconstructive metric that uses volume displacement to measure oral cavity obliteration and correlate this metric to outcomes of speech and swallowing. 33 patients (23m:10f, 51.mean age) underwent resection and template based free-tissue reconstruction of oral tongue defects based on the principle of maintaining oral cavity obliteration. All patients were followed for greater than 12 months postoperatively. Oral cavity obliteration was measured by using a novel oral volume assessment test (OVAT). Briefly, by placing a latex balloon filled with dyed pudding on the patient's tongue and then patients performed mouth closure to expel the pudding. The residual volume represented dead space in the oral cavity and was measured by water displacement. These results were correlated with the Speech and Swallowing Assessment and Assessment of Intelligibility of Dysarthric Speech (A.I.D.S.) instruments. The mean residual volume on OVAT was 7.4 cc (range 3 – 20cc; sd 4.5cc). The mean AIDS efficiency ratio was 0.6055 (range 0.31 - 0.92; sd 0.16) and mean AIDS % sentence intelligibility was 96% (range 64.1 – 100; sd 8.0). There was a correlation with lower residual volumes (better obliteration) with increasing AIDS efficiency ratio (R = 0.72, p < 0.001). A receiver operator curve was used to identify 10 cc of residual volume as the curve where the inflection defines better versus worse outcomes. Using this cut point, binary logistic regression showed that residual volume significantly predicts normal nutritional mode (p<0.001), ability to tolerate all liquids (=0.007), range of solids (p=0.004), eating in public (p=0.007), understandability (p<0.001), and speaking in public (p=0.01). Oral volume assessment test (OVAT) is a novel measure of residual volume (obliteration) that correlates with improved speech efficiency, intelligibility, speaking in public and swallowing outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients with early-stage oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC) are generally considered low-risk for recurrence and typically do not receive adjuvant radiotherapy. We aimed to identify pathologic factors associated with locoregional recurrence in this population. A retrospective chart review was conducted of patients with AJCC 8th edition pT1-2N0 OTSCC who underwent partial glossectomy and elective neck dissection without adjuvant treatment between 2015-2021. Pathology reports were reviewed for tumor size, depth of invasion (DOI), glossectomy specimen margin and final tumor bed margin status, and the presence of perineural invasion (PNI) or lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI). Patients with prior head and neck radiotherapy or positive final margins were excluded, resulting in 110 patients in the final analysis. Locoregional control (LRC) and overall survival (OS) were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Multivariate analysis was performed using a Cox proportional hazards model to identify prognostic factors for LRC. Median follow-up was 45.6 months. Median patient age was 62 years. Sixty (54.5%) patients were male, and 39 (35.5%) were current or former smokers. The cohort contained 46 (41.8%) pT1 tumors and 64 (58.2%) pT2 tumors. Median number of lymph nodes dissected was 33, median tumor size was 16mm, and median DOI was 5mm. PNI was noted in 18 (15.3%) cases, LVSI was identified in 4 (3.6%) cases, and 9 (8.2%) cases had positive glossectomy specimen margins. Three-year LRC/OS was 88.0%/92.5% for all-comers, 92.0%/95.2% for pT1 disease, and 85.0%/90.5% for pT2 disease. On multivariate analysis, DOI (HR=1.31 (95% CI: 1.06-1.63), p=0.01), presence of LVSI (HR=6.90 (95% CI: 1.42-33.65), p=0.02), and positive glossectomy specimen margins (HR=6.66 (95% CI: 1.60-27.78), p=0.009) were associated with inferior LRC. Three-year LRC was 66.7% with positive glossectomy specimen margins and 89.5% without. Three-year LRC was 0.0% with positive LVSI and 89.4% without. Among the 8 patients who experienced regional failure, 5 (62.5%) recurred in the ipsilateral neck only, 2 (25.0%) failed in the bilateral neck, and 1 (12.5%) experienced an isolated contralateral neck recurrence. In patients with pT1-2N0 OTSCC who underwent partial glossectomy and elective neck dissection, DOI, presence of LVSI, and positive glossectomy specimen margins, despite final negative tumor bed margins, were all associated with inferior LRC. Patients with these risk factors may be considered for adjuvant radiotherapy to optimize disease control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the oral tongue is an aggressive disease and mandates upfront surgery, appropriate reconstruction, and adjuvant therapy as indicated. Contemporary tongue reconstruction has been largely aided by free flaps, making it possible to tailor the flap precisely to the defect. Aims and Objectives: We aimed to assess functional outcomes of our post glossectomy patients subsequent to reconstruction and aimed to identify the flap types associated with the highest satisfaction rates. Methodology: We retrospectively evaluated a cohort of 145 patients with SCC of the oral tongue, who underwent glossectomy at our institution between March 2011 and July 2017. These patients had been reconstructed as per our volume-aided institutional algorithm with primary closure, radial forearm-free flap (RFFF), pectoralis major myocutaneous flap (PMMF), or anterolateral thigh-free flap. Appropriate analysis on surviving and functionally evaluable patients was done through a trilingual confidential IRB-validated phone administered questionnaire. Results: The subjective outcomes were most satisfactory for patients reconstructed with RFFF, which per our institutional algorithm forms the flap of choice for oral tongue volume restoration to the extent of 30%–50%; and also for primary closure, our preferred method for 0%–30% volume restoration. Subjective satisfaction with respect to speech and swallowing was the lowest when the PMMF was utilized for reconstruction. Notably, PMMF was only utilized for tongue reconstruction in severely comorbid patients. Conclusions: Oral tongue reconstruction should aim at restoration of mobility, structural support, restoration of bulk, and obviation of tracheotomy, among other aims. Primary closure for smaller defects and a skin-lined free flap for larger defects appear to be associated with high rates of subjective satisfaction across all parameters.

Squamous cell carcinoma of tongue is commonly associated with infiltration of disease into the floor of mouth and the mandible, requiring extensive ablative surgery of the tongue and the mandibular bone. This gives rise to severe facial disfigurement along with various functional deficits, such as difficulty in swallowing, mastication, and speech; uncontrolled salivary secretions; altered mandibular movements; and occlusion. This article describes the prosthetic rehabilitation of a patient who has undergone partial glossectomy with segmental mandibulectomy. It involves the fabrication of a hollow palatal augmentation prosthesis with a widened occlusal table on the nonresected side and a palatal-based guidance ramp for the mandible on the resected side. This case report presents an alternative method to rehabilitate such partially edentulous patients with compromised anatomical situation.

Cancer of the tongue forms more than 50% of oral cavity cancers. Generally, patients come with locally advanced tongue cancer. The treatment for this cancer is multi-modality. For resectable cancer, multiple surgical approaches are described in the literature. Mandibulotomy for resection of the middle and posterior third oral cancer is a well-established technique but it has its attended morbidity. We present our results of a new surgical technique, called the Peroral and submandibular cervical surgical approach wherein tongue cancer of middle third and posterior third is resected without mandibulotomy. The advantages of this technique are that the complications of malunion or non-union of bone are avoided, no chances of osteoradionecrosis or osteomyelitis, no need of periosteal elevation or damage, the malignancy is removed with wide margin with minimal blood loss, there is no scar on face or chin, morbidity of surgery is minimal. Also, the technique is easily reproducible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The glossectomy procedure, involving surgical resection of cancerous lingual tissue, has long been observed to affect speech production. This study aims to quantitatively index and compare complexity of vocal tract shaping due to lingual movement in individuals who have undergone glossectomy and typical speakers using real-time magnetic resonance imaging data and Principal Component Analysis. The data reveal that (i) the type of glossectomy undergone largely predicts the patterns in vocal tract shaping observed, (ii) gross forward and backward motion of the tongue body accounts for more change in vocal tract shaping than do subtler movements of the tongue (e.g., tongue tip constrictions) in patient data, and (iii) fewer vocal tract shaping components are required to account for the patients' speech data than typical speech data, suggesting that the patient data at hand exhibit less complex vocal tract shaping in the midsagittal plane than do the data from the typical speakers observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background  For tongue reconstruction, the radial forearm flap (RFF) is commonly used. In the last decade, the medial sural artery perforator (MSAP) flap has been successfully used with reportedly superior donor-site outcomes. Our study is the first to compare the RFF and MSAP for reconstruction of partial glossectomy defects (<50% of tongue). Methods  We conducted a retrospective review of 20 patients with partial glossectomy defects reconstructed at a tertiary referral center. Patient demographics, perioperative data, and postoperative complications were analyzed. Objective measures of speech, swallowing, and subjective patient satisfaction with their donor site were recorded. Results  Ten RFF and MSAP were each used, with a mean partial glossectomy defect size of 40.5 and 43.5%, respectively. The MSAP was significantly thicker (7.8 vs. 4.3 mm, p  < 0.05) with a longer harvest time (122.5 vs. 75.0 minutes, p  < 0.05). There were no cases of free flap failure. Donor-site healing times were comparable, but the MSAP group experienced significantly less donor-site complications (n  = 1 vs. n  = 7, p  < 0.05). Functional outcomes were comparable with 13 patients achieving normal speech and diet after 3 months (MSAP = 6 vs. RFF = 7, p  = 1.00). All patients were satisfied with their donor-site outcome with the MSAP group having a marginally higher score. Conclusion  Both flaps are good options for partial glossectomy reconstruction. Though more challenging to harvest, the MSAP gives comparable functional results and has become our first reconstructive option given its superior donor-site outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Presently, the functional reconstruction of the tongue in patients after subtotal or total glossectomy with the removal of the oral floor muscles and spearing of the larynx remains a complicated and unsolved issue. The aim of this case is to describe a method reconstruction of the tongue in patients after total glossectomy with the removal of the oral floor muscles using the chimeric latissimus dorsi and serratus anterior free flap (chimeric LD + SA flap) with motor innervation. Methods: A 62-year-old woman with advanced cancer of the oral cavity was submitted to total glossectomy and then reconstruction with a chimeric LD + SA flap. With this method reconstruction of the tongue was made the creation a large mound (neotongue) lateral to the mandibular arch which can easily reach the palatal arch and also was made suspension of the larynx is essential given the ablative loss of supra-hyoid attachments. Results: Our preliminary experience shows that this flap is a good reconstructive option for total glossectomy with the removal of the oral floor muscles and with larynx preservation. Functional and objective evaluation of the tongue reconstructed with chimeric LD + SA free flap requires further and standardized evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Very severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) ≥ 60 events/h differs in several areas from OSA with other severities, including having a low-level daytime partial pressure of oxygen and residual on-CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) AHIs greater than 20/h. Patients with very severe OSA show narrow retroglossal space and confined framework, which is difficult to be enlarged via conventional Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) surgery, resulting in poor response to non-framework surgeries. Our latest report showed efficacy and efficiency for subjects undergoing modified Z-palatoplasty (ZPP) with one-layer closure in a one-stage multilevel surgery. It is unclear whether and how this procedure could help patients with very severe OSA characterized with confined framework. From Mar. 2015 to May 2018, we enrolled 12 patients with very severe OSA receiving one-stage multi-level surgery with modified ZPP with one-layer closure, CO2 laser partial tongue-base glossectomy, and bilateral septomeatoplasty. Our results show that the surgery reduced AHI from 73.8 ± 10.7 to 30.8 ± 23.2 events/h and achieved a mean AHI reduction of 58.3% (p < 0.001 against 0 reduction or no surgery). The surgery shifted components of the breathing disturbances. It reduced more apnea than hypopnea and might convert some apnea to hypopnea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The prognostic role of age among patients affected by Oral Tongue Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OTSCC) is a topic of debate. Recent cohort studies have found that patients diagnosed at 40 years of age or younger have a better prognosis. The aim of this cohort study was to clarify whether age is an independent prognostic factor and discuss heterogeneity of outcomes by stage and treatments in different age groups. Methods: We performed a study on 577 consecutive patients affected by primary tongue cancer and treated with surgery and adjuvant therapy according to stage, at European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS. Patients with age at diagnosis below 40 years totaled 109 (19%). Overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), tongue specific free survival (TSFS) and cause-specific survival (CSS) were compared by age groups. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess the independent role of age. Results: The median follow-up time was 5.01 years (range 0–18.68) years with follow-up recorded up to February 2020. After adjustment for all the significant confounding and prognostic factors, age remained independently associated with OS and DSF (respectively, p = 0.002 and p = 0.02). In CSS and TSFS curves, the role of age seems less evident (respectively, p = 0.14 and p = 0.0.37). In the advanced stage sub-group (stages III–IV), age was significantly associated with OS and CSS with almost double increased risk of dying (OS) and dying from tongue cancer (CSS) in elderly compared to younger groups (OS: HR = 2.16 95%, CI: 1.33–3.51, p= 0.001; CSS: HR = 1.76 95%, CI: 1.03–3.01, p = 0.02, respectively). In our study, young patients were more likely to be treated with intensified therapies (glossectomies types III–V and adjuvant radio-chemotherapy). Age was found as a prognostic factor, independently of other significant factors and treatment. Also the T–N tract involved by disease and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio ≥3 were independent prognostic factors. Conclusions: Young age at diagnosis is associated with a better overall survival. Fewer younger people than older people died from tongue cancer in advanced stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Epithelioid sarcoma is a rare soft tissue malignancy that usually presents in the distal extremities along fascial planes, aponeuroses or tendon sheaths. Very rarely, it presents as a primary or metastatic lesion of the head neck. Methods: Chart review and comprehensive literature review using PubMed and Google Scholar. Results: A 17-year-old non-smoker was referred for evaluation of an ulcerative lesion of the right anterior-lateral tongue, progressing over several months. Incisional biopsy was concerning for squamous cell carcinoma. He underwent partial glossectomy and bilateral selective neck dissections, with reconstruction using a radial forearm free flap. Final pathology was consistent with epithelioid sarcoma, proximal type, demonstrating perineural invasion and close margins. Post-operative PET scan showed no persistent nor metastatic disease. He underwent post-operative radiation therapy to a total dose of 56 Gy to the primary site. Conclusion: Epithelioid sarcoma is a rare malignancy usually presenting in the extremities of young adults, which uncommonly presents in the head and neck as a primary or metastatic lesion. The infrequency of these lesions has prevented development of evidence-based treatment recommendations. As with most sarcomas, surgery is the mainstay of therapy for epithelioid sarcoma, while radiation has been used in an adjunctive role. Although a rare lesion, epithelioid sarcoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis for atypical epithelioid lesions of the tongue and oral cavity when patient demographics, gross lesion characteristics, or histopathology are not entirely consistent with more common lesions, such as squamous cell carcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate postoperative opioid prescribing in patients undergoing neck dissections with short hospitalizations.Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.Setting: Tertiary academic hospital.Methods: The study population included patients who underwent lateral neck dissections with or without an associated head and neck procedure and required hospitalization for ≤3 days from 2012 to 2019. Interventions to decrease opioid utilization, including preoperative counseling, multimodality pain management, and multidisciplinary collaboration, were implemented in September 2016. Patients were divided into 2 groups: preintervention (group 1) and postintervention (group 2). The mean quantity of opioids prescribed during hospitalization, at discharge, and in refills was calculated in morphine milligram equivalents (MME).Results: A total of 407 patients were included in the analysis: 223 patients in group 1 and 184 patients in group 2 (42.3% female, 89.4% white; average age, 55.2 years [95% CI, 53.6-56.9]). The mean opioid quantity prescribed in unilateral neck dissection alone decreased from 353.9 MME (95% CI, 266.7-441.2) in group 1 to 113.3 MME (95% CI, 87.8-138.7) in group 2 (P < .001; effect size, 1.0). Statistically significant decreases in mean opioid quantity prescribed were also observed in unilateral neck dissection in combination with thyroidectomy, parotidectomy, glossectomy, or tonsillectomy. The percentage of patients requiring opioid prescription refills was not statistically different between the groups.Conclusion: This study demonstrates that the quantity of opioids prescribed in patients undergoing neck dissections and associated head and neck procedures with short hospitalizations can be reduced to as low as 100 to 125 MME with preoperative counseling, multimodality pain management, and multidisciplinary collaboration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]