Total Glossectomy Without Laryngectomy for Advanced Squamous Cell Cancer of the Tongue: Functional and Oncological Results.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Total glossectomy without laryngectomy for large tongue carcinomas still remains controversial, as these defects may go along with dramatic effects on respiration, speech and swallowing. As a consequence, these procedures significantly impact quality of life. Therefore, larger case series are rare. Nevertheless, with the development of free tissue transfer, functional reconstruction has become increasingly popular and encouraging results are reported in the literature.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We present our experience with complete glossectomy without laryngectomy and free flap reconstruction. A retrospective monocenter cohort-study was conducted. Reconstructive principles, which in our view lead to optimal functional results, are presented. Oncologic, as well as functional results are reported. Functional results were assessed in terms of swallowing ability, decannulation and intelligible speech.

RESULTS

A total of 14 patients met the inclusion criteria. All patients were reconstructed using an anterolateral thigh flap. Complications occurred in 4 patients, 3 of which developed fistula formation. Oral feeding without the need for a gastrostomy tube was resumed in 11 patients (78.6%), 12 patients (85.7%) were able to be permanently decannulated and speech was at least acceptable in 12 patients (85.7%). The three-year survival was 57.1%.

CONCLUSION

Following meticulous reconstructive principles, as well as a proper patient selection, total glossectomy without laryngectomy is a feasible treatment option for advanced cancer of the tongue.