Introduction: Surgical treatment of oral cavity neoplasms consists of the resection of tumor surrounded by a healthy tissue margin. This study is aimed at an objective, qualitative and quantitative evaluation of breathing disturbances and dyspnoea after the resection of oral cavity structures, throat structures and muscles of the neck. For the purpose of evaluating the above-mentioned disturbances an attempt was made to carry out pulse oximetry examination.
Material and methods: We have examined 50 persons after the resection of oral cavity structures, throat structures and muscles of the neck in Maxillofacial Clinic of Pomeranian Medical Academy in Szczecin. The examinations were performed by pulse oximetry set during sleep before and after operations. The patients were divided into three groups according to the type of removed structures which included: lateral part of the mandible; mental part of the mandible; part of the tongue.
Results: The results of examinations obtained gave rise results as: pulse oximetry examination revealed an increased incidence of blood desaturation episodes and a decrease in minimum saturation level.
Conclusions: Surgical treatment of oral cavity neoplasms leads to breathing disturbances. Apnoea episodes cause a drop in the arterial blood saturation with oxygen.