The Functional & Quality of Life Outcomes of Total Glossectomy with Laryngeal Preservation

Abstract

Background: The tongue is an essential organ for human interaction, communication and survival. To date, there is a paucity of objective functional, patient reported, or quality of life outcomes of patients undergoing a total glossectomy with preservation of the larynx (TGLP). Objective: To examine prospectively collected objective, self-reported functional and quality of life (QOL) data in patients undergoing TGLP and free flap reconstruction. Methods: Sixteen TGLP patients were identified in the prospective head and neck cancer and functional outcomes database between January of 2009 and December 2017. Data collection included patient age, sex, performance status, TNM staging, diagnosis and adjuvant treatment. Swallowing and speech functions were measured and prospectively recorded pre- and postoperatively. Patient reported outcomes were measured with the Speech Handicap Index (SHI) and the M.D. Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI). Results: All patients had a significant reduction in their objective swallowing (P = 0.035), sentence (P = 0.001) and word intelligibility (P