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Articulatory function in patients who have undergone glossectomy with use of an artificial graft membrane

2000; Elsevier BV; Volume: 89; Issue: 5 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1067/moe.2000.104069

1528-395X

Haruhiko Terai, Masashi Shimahara,

Reconstructive Facial Surgery Techniques

Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate, by assessing speech intelligibility, the long-term usefulness of an artificial bilayer membrane as a mucosal substitute after glossectomy. Study design Artificial membranes were grafted in 8 patients with intraoral defects after glossectomy. Five patients served as a control group and received only standard closure by suture after glossectomy. Speech intelligibility was evaluated by means of a standardized Japanese speech intelligibility test 6 months or more after the operation. Results The postoperative courses of all 13 patients were uneventful. Intelligibility scores of those who received grafts were better than those of the control group in the overall score, the glossal sounds score, and the rear portion sounds score. Conclusion The artificial membrane was useful for the glossectomy as a long-term mucosal substitute, as well as for the short-term. The purpose of this study was to investigate, by assessing speech intelligibility, the long-term usefulness of an artificial bilayer membrane as a mucosal substitute after glossectomy. Artificial membranes were grafted in 8 patients with intraoral defects after glossectomy. Five patients served as a control group and received only standard closure by suture after glossectomy. Speech intelligibility was evaluated by means of a standardized Japanese speech intelligibility test 6 months or more after the operation. The postoperative courses of all 13 patients were uneventful. Intelligibility scores of those who received grafts were better than those of the control group in the overall score, the glossal sounds score, and the rear portion sounds score. The artificial membrane was useful for the glossectomy as a long-term mucosal substitute, as well as for the short-term.