Open AccessRadiation Deteriorates Functional Outcome after Glossectomy
Author(s) -
Shin Yoo Seob,
Kim Won Sik,
Lee HyoungShin,
Hong Hyun Jun,
Kim SeHeon,
Koh Yoon Woo,
Choi EunChang
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
otolaryngology–head and neck surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.232
H-Index - 121
eISSN - 1097-6817
pISSN - 0194-5998
DOI - 10.1177/0194599811415823a142
Subject(s) - swallowing , tongue , medicine , dysphagia , radiation therapy , glossectomy , quality of life (healthcare) , cancer , surgery , adjuvant radiotherapy , pathology , nursing
Objective Quality of life could be deteriorated by surgical treatment of tongue cancer. Adjuvant therapy may also affect the functional outcome. Therefore, we intend to evaluate the influence of radiotherapy on the postoperative functional outcome after partial glossectomy with free flap reconstruction in early tongue cancer patients. Method We measured the functional outcome and reviewed the charts of 31 oral tongue cancer patients. We evaluated speech integrity with Diadochokinetic test (DDK). Mobility of tongue was checked with measurement of upward, protrusion, and lateral deviation distance. We also evaluated swallowing capacity with the M.D. Anderson Dysphagia Inventory. Results DDK rates of the surgery‐only group and the postoperative radiotherapy group were 27.8 and 23.9, respectively, which was statistically different. Swallowing capacity was significantly superior in the surgery only group. Tongue mobility was not statistically different between the groups. Conclusion The functional outcome regarding speech and swallowing is negatively influenced by postoperative radiotherapy.