GLOSSECTOMY MORBIDITY MORTALITY RESULTS

Risks associated with a glossectomy include:
• Bleeding from the tongue. This is an early complication of surgery; it can result in severe swelling leading to blockage of the airway.
• Poor speech and difficulty swallowing. This complication depends on how much of the tongue is removed.
• Fistula formation. Incomplete healing may result in the formation of a passage between the skin and the mouth cavity within the first two weeks following a glossectomy. This complication often occurs after feeding has resumed. Patients who have had radiotherapy are at greater risk of developing a fistula.
• Flap failure. This complication is often due to problems with the flaps blood supply. Normal results
A successful glossectomy results in complete removal of the cancer, improved ability to swallow food, and restored speech. The quality of the patients speech is usually very good if at least one-third of the tongue remains and an experienced surgeon has performed the repair. Total glossectomy results in severe disability because the new tongue (a prosthesis) is incapable of movement. This lack of mobility creates enormous difficulty in eating and talking.

Morbidity and mortality rates
Even in the case of a successful glossectomy, thelong-term outcome depends on the stage of the cancer and the involvement of lymph glands in the neck. Fiveyear survival data reveal overall survival rates of less than 60%, although the patients who do survive often endure major functional, cosmetic, and psychological burdens as a result of their difficulties in speaking and eating.

Alternatives
An alternative to glossectomy is the insertion of radioactive wires into the cancerous tissue. This is an effective treatment but requires specialized surgical skills and facilities.