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Glossectomy

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Glossectomy
ICD-9-CM25.2-25.4
MeSHD005927
Patient’s tongue with glossectomy

A glossectomy is the surgical removal of all or part of the tongue. It is performed in order to curtail malignant growth such as oral cancer. When only a portion of the tongue needs to be removed, the procedure is called a partial removal, or hemiglossectomy. When the entire tongue needs to be removed, the procedure is called a total glossectomy. A midline glossectomy is a surgical reduction of the size of the base of the tongue (posterior two-thirds of the tongue), sometimes used to treat sleep apnea.[1]

If the size of the resulting defect is too large, patients may have difficulty with speaking or swallowing. In this case, the patient may benefit from a free flap to restore volume in the missing portion of the tongue.

See also

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References

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  • Monique Laberge. "Glossectomy". Encyclopedia of Surgery. Advameg, Inc. Retrieved 2010-05-28.
  • Jordan Rihani, MD; Larry Myers, MD (15 July 2021). "Glossectomy". EMedicine.
  1. Murphey, Alexander W.; Kandl, Jessica A.; Nguyen, Shaun A.; Weber, Aimee C.; Gillespie, M. Boyd (2015). "The Effect of Glossectomy for Obstructive Sleep Apnea". Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. 153 (3): 334–342. doi:10.1177/0194599815594347. ISSN 1097-6817.