Evaluation of speech intelligibility after a secondary dehiscence operation using an artificial graft in patients with speech disorders after partial glossectomy

The purpose of this study was to evaluate speech intelligibility after a dehiscence operation using artificial grafts for patients with speech disorders after partial glossectomy that were caused by scars resulting from the primary operation. The subjects were six men and three women, who had had a partial glossectomy for tongue cancer followed by direct closure without reconstruction. They were operated on a second time operation to mobilise the residual tongue by dividing the cicatrix. An artificial graft was applied to the wound to maintain the dehiscence. Speech intelligibility was evaluated by a standardised Japanese speech intelligibility test before, and 6 and 12 months after the second operation. The intelligibility scores significantly improved during the first 6 months after the second operation, and continued to improve slightly during the following 6 months. This study suggests that the dehiscence operation using an artificial graft could improve speech in patients after partial glossectomy.