The following is a summary of “Depth of resection predicts loss of tongue tip sensation after partial glossectomy in oral tongue cancer: A pilot study,” published in the December 2023  issue of Oncology by Cortina, et al.

For a study, researchers sought to identify predictors of loss of tongue-tip sensation (LoTTS) and characterize alterations in sensory function after partial glossectomy for oral tongue cancer (OTC). 64 individuals who had undergone partial glossectomy for primary oral topography and had been followed up for at least three months were included in the study. Qualitative tongue feeling evaluations, as well as objective tongue sensory examinations of the native tongue tip, were carried out. The information gathered included information on the pathological stage, surgical reconstruction, and oncologic resection.

10 patients reported having LoTTS, which is 15% of the total. In multivariate analysis, increasing depth of resection (DOR) was shown to be an independent predictor of LoTTS. At a threshold DOR of 1.3 cm, the risk of LoTTS rose when it was present. Additionally, during the qualitative tongue evaluation, LoTTS was shown to be connected with a worse subjective quality of life and a poorer perceptive speaking performance.

DOR is a significant prognostic feature essential for predicting post-treatment performance, according to the research findings. The patients who were at the highest risk of LoTTS and the morbidity that is linked with it were those who had a DOR that is elevated, especially over 1.3 cm. Several potential applications for these results include the prediction of post-operative sensory impairments, the management of patient expectations, and the optimization of reconstructive procedures.

Source: sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1368837523002919