Assessment of Articulation after Surgery to the Tongue

Carcinoma of the floor of the mouth

“…However, in the context of major resections to include the mandible, floor of mouth and tongue, reconstruction as a means of improving speech and deglutition can only be viewed with scepticism, since any improvement in these functions can only be marginal. Although improvement in speech articulation has been reported for those who have had reconstructive procedures (Bradley et al, 1980), the differences as noted by the writer are not that striking. Therefore, the case for reconstruction must be considered either on the basis of simply achieving rapid healing, or alternatively on the need to satisfy certain functional and cosmetic problems.…”

“…Nevertheless a firm impression has been gained by some that the combination of radiotherapy and surgery has altered the cure rates for the better (Hardingham etal. 1977;Flynn etal., 1973), and for others the same objective has been allegedly achieved by chemotherapy in conjunction with radiotherapy (Bradley et al, 1980).…”

Pectoralis major flaps: Functional aspects of the repair of oral and oropharyngeal resections

“…The most significant defects producing speech impairment were ankyloglossia and soft palate defects, rather than loss of tongue bulk. In another study of speech after surgery to the tongue, they noted better speech scores in those patients who had had reconstructive procedures (Bradley et al, 1980). Teichgraeber et al, (1985) assessed speech, swallowing and general health in 51 patients who had had treatment by radiotherapy or surgery for oral malignancy.…”