Objective: Numerous patients in Taiwan with tongue carcinoma require tongue reconstruction. We compared the abilities of 2 methods of tongue reconstruction to reserve tongue function.
Study design and setting: Sixty patients underwent resection of the tumors and reconstruction with a pectoralis major flap or a radial forearm flap. The Chinese articulation test was used to evaluate the place and manner of error production, and a questionnaire on dietary habits was used to evaluate deglutition 6 months to 10 years after reconstruction.
Results: Patients with the free flap had more intelligible speech. The questionnaire study showed no significant difference between the 2 groups in swallowing rating. Motility caused by flap pliability increased speech intelligibility more than it did on swallowing function.
Conclusion: Our experience in a few selected patients shows that the functional outcome of tongue surgery is related to the reconstruction methods used (for speech) and to the extent of tongue resection (for swallowing).