Interdisciplinary Dental, Laboratory, and Nursing Considerations in Glossectomy Management
Abstract
Background: A glossectomy is a major surgical procedure involving the partial or total resection of the tongue, primarily performed for oncologic management of oral cancers. The procedure's complexity arises from the tongue's intricate anatomy, critical roles in speech, swallowing, and airway protection, and its rich vascular and neural supply.
Aim: This article comprehensively reviews the interdisciplinary management of glossectomy patients, detailing the surgical approaches, indications, and the essential collaborative roles of dental, laboratory, and nursing professionals in optimizing patient outcomes.
Methods: The review synthesizes established surgical techniques, including transoral, lip-split mandibulotomy, and transcervical pull-through approaches. The selection of the appropriate method is based on tumor characteristics (size, location, stage), patient anatomy, and reconstructive needs. The integral contributions of the interdisciplinary team—from preoperative dental assessment to intraoperative pathology and postoperative nursing care—are systematically outlined.
Results: Each surgical approach offers distinct advantages and limitations in exposure and morbidity. Glossectomy invariably leads to significant functional complications, most notably dysarthria and dysphagia, the severity of which depends on the extent of the resection. Successful management relies on meticulous preoperative planning, precise surgical execution with intraoperative margin assessment, and robust reconstruction, often with free tissue transfer, to restore form and function.
Conclusion: The effective management of glossectomy patients is fundamentally an interdisciplinary endeavor. A coordinated team, including surgeons, dentists, pathologists, nurses, and rehabilitation therapists, is crucial for achieving oncologic control, minimizing complications, and facilitating functional recovery, thereby improving overall quality of life.
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Copyright (c) 2024 Waleed Mohammed Alaki, Adnan Muslim Al-Alawi, Fawaz Marwi Al-Mukhlafi, Sultan Salman Aljohani, Waleed Saleh Alharbi , Mohammed Khalid Dawi Alosaimi, Ohoud Suliman Alotibi, Dalal Mohammed Rashed Aldossary , Sultan Ali Al Sahli, Mohammed Hammad Alqahtani , Saif Ali Alsahli , Hazah Mouhmmad Alrifae Albayre
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