What is the purpose of a glossectomy?
What is a glossectomy? A glossectomy is the surgery done to remove part of or all of the tongue. It can be used to treat cancers of the tongue, some oral cavity (inside the mouth) and throat cancers. The tongue’s jobs include tasting, swallowing, breathing, licking and speaking.
What is removed during a glossectomy?
A glossectomy is the surgical removal of the tongue. The surgery may be: Partial—removal of part of the tongue. Hemi—one side of the tongue is removed.
How is glossectomy performed?
What is a partial glossectomy? A partial glossectomy is an operation to remove part of your tongue. This operation is carried out through your mouth, under general anaesthetic, in the operating theatre. You will be asleep throughout the operation.
Can you taste after glossectomy?
Conclusion: Surprisingly the taste sensation of remaining tongue was reduced severely after the subtotal glossectomy. For the appetite and the nutrition, considering the taste sensation is very important.
What happens after a Glossectomy?
After this surgery your speech and swallowing may be severely affected. Generally, the more tongue that is taken out because of the tumour, the harder it will be to swallow and speak clearly. After a glossectomy, there may be a lot of swelling in your throat. Swelling could block the air passage.
Can you talk without a tongue?
But, with a lot of practice, anything is possible. Talking without a tongue is possible. For Cynthia Zamora, simply being able to talk is nothing short of miraculous. Three years ago, doctors found a tumor that covered more than half her tongue.
Can you talk with part of your tongue removed?
When part of the tongue is removed, it can be hard to speak and be understood by others. The Speech-Language Pathologist will assess your ability to speak clearly. Sometimes people need only a few speech therapy sessions, while others may need to learn other methods to communicate such as computers or gestures.
Can you still eat without a tongue?
Yes, Eating without tongue is possible but one can not taste the food, its just impossible. In case tongue is completely gone, teeth helps in chewing and throat muscle pushes the food forward, although its very difficult to swallow the solid stuffs.
Can you talk without your tongue?
Is Glossectomy major surgery?
A major glossectomy is an operation which removes a large part or all of the tongue. After this surgery your speech and swallowing may be severely affected. Generally, the more tongue that is taken out because of the tumour, the harder it will be to swallow and speak clearly.
Can a person talk without tongue?
It is highly impossible to speak without a tongue, because in the mechanism of speech, the tongue is the main organ that helps us to speak a language fluently.
Do tongues grow back if cut?
If a piece of your tongue was cut off or bitten off, it may have been reattached. Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety.
What are subtotal glossectomy defects?
Most subtotal glossectomy defects involve the entire mobile tongue and 50% or more of the base of the tongue. The floor of the mouth musculatures are usually removed during resection, with the hyoid bone as the distal extent of the defect (Fig. 8.18 ). A flap 8–9 cm wide and 10–15 cm long is usually required.
What is anterior partial glossectomy for tongue cancer?
Anterior partial glossectomy is a common component of the management of tongue malignancy. Attempts to limit radiation exposure to the mandible, the salivaryglands, and the teeth have forestalled the extensive use of combined chemotherapy and radiation therapy for the treatment of the mobile tongue.
Is glossectomy an effective treatment for hypertrophy of the tongue?
Glossectomy involving a wedge of tongue muscle is an effective technique84 that may be applied to children with significant tongue hypertrophy as in Beckwith–Wiedemann or Down syndrome. Indications for MLG were determined via anatomical structure (Friedman staging), 8 but this study only enrolled patients with Friedman stage III or IV.
Can the principles of glossectomy be applied to other malignancies?
The principles established for partial and total glossectomy for SCC can be generally applied to other malignancies.