Background: Speech and swallowing are important outcomes following resection in early tongue cancers.
Aim: This prospective study was performed to compare speech, swallowing, and tongue mobility between secondary intention healing (SH) and primary closure (PC) in glossectomy for early tongue cancers.
Methods: Forty T1/T2 tongue cancers underwent wide excision followed by either PC or SH. Operative time, tube feeding, complications, speech, and swallowing were assessed in both groups at 1, 6, 12, and 24 weeks after surgery.
Results: SH showed better tongue mobility, less errors in continuous speech, and articulation as compared to PC at all-time points. Operative time, bleeding, duration of tube feeding, and pain scores were comparable in both groups. There were no major complications except minor secondary hemorrhage in one patient with SH.
Conclusion: Following early tongue cancer resection, secondary intention healing can result in better speech and tongue mobility with minimum morbidity.
Keywords: early tongue lesions; speech outcomes; tongue cancers.
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