[The tongue as a receptor and effector after tumor resection in the oral cavity]

To evaluate functional impairment in the oral cavity after resection of neoplasm.

71 patients after partial or total glossectomy were examin ed to evaluate tongue mobility, superficial sensation, oral stereognosis and efficiency of deglutition. The extent of tongue resection, reconstruction procedures, tumor localization and the postoperative radiotherapy were taken into consideration.

Excision of up to one-third of the mobile part of the tongue does not impair its function. Although longitudinal excision of half of the tongue with adjacent structures limits its mobility and sensory sensitivity, efficient deglutition is preserved. Despite extensive disturbances in mobility and sensory sensitivity of the tongue after transversal hemiglossectomy with adjacent structures, efficient deglutition is still achievable after rehabilitation. In the case of total glossectomy efficient deglutition also can be achieved after extended rehabilitation. This is also true for tongue reconstructed with a myocutaneous flap.

Juxtaposition of limitations in sensorymotor functions with disturbances in deglutition after resection of tongue tumor facilitates understanding and prediction of these processes. Evaluation of deglutition efficiency after tongue reconstruction reflects effectiveness of rehabilitation.