A comparison of masticatory function in patients with or without reconstruction of the mandible

Autor: Mark I. Singer, Arthur J. Miller, Robert J. Schweitzer, Thomas A. Curtis, Arun Sharma, Raymond L. Hilsinger, Octavia Plesh, Donald A. Curtis, Lionel Schour
Rok vydání: 1997
Předmět:
Zdroj: Head & Neck. 19:287-296
ISSN: 1097-0347
1043-3074
DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1097-0347(199707)19:4<287::aid-hed7>3.0.co;2-x
Popis: Background. The functional benefits of mandibular reconstruction following a composite resection remain unclear. Although microvascular surgical techniques have dramatically in- creased the predictability of bone and soft-tissue reconstruction towards presurgical anatomic norms, the specific factors respon- sible for improved function remain controversial. Objective mea- sures of masticatory function need to be more clearly determined before the predictability and efficacy of reconstructive ap- proaches is established. Methods. We evaluated objective measures of oral function and patient reports of function in 10 reconstructed mandibulec- tomy patients, 10 without reconstruction, and 10 controls. Mea- sures of oral function included bite force assessed at the first molar and incisal edge, a measure of tongue and cheek function, and patient reports of food they could eat. Results. Both reconstructed and nonreconstructed patients presented decreased biting force, a more restricted diet, and compromised cheek and tongue function as compared with nor- mals. However, reconstructed patients had significantly better measures of tongue function and ability to eat a varied diet than did nonreconstructed patients. Of the objective measures used to measure masticatory performance, bite force was poorly corre- lated, whereas measures of tongue function strongly correlated with successful mastication. Conclusion. Both reconstructed and nonreconstructed pa- tients presented with a significant functional deficit when com- pared with normals, with reconstructed patients having better overall function than nonreconstructed patients. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Head Neck 19: 287-296, 1997.
Databáze: OpenAIRE
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