Issue N# 5 - 2006
OTONEUROLOGY
The rehabilitation of the tongue in hypoglossal-facial anastomosis.
Authors : Gatignol P, Cortadellas A. L, Grandi S, Tankere F, Lobryeau C, Willer J. C, Lamas G. (Paris)
Ref. : Rev Laryngol Otol Rhinol. 2006;127,5:327-333.
Article published in french
Downloadable PDF document french
Summary :
End to end hypoglossal-facial nerve anastomosis (tt HFA) is a traditional technique for rehabilitation of facial palsy. The sacrifice of the hypoglossal nerve generates a paralysis and an atrophy of the tongue which is thought to lead to speech, chewing and swallowing disorders. In a previous study, we demonstrated that tt HFA does not lead to speech disorders (Gatignol et al 2003). Objectives: In this work, we were interested in the functional consequences of the lingual atrophy and in the possibilities of rehabilitation with early therapy. Material and methods: Nine patients were distributed in two groups, in one patients received a specific and early lingual rehabilitation in the other no specific treatment. These two groups (paired with control subjects) were subjected to a series of tests studying the motor function, the articulation (using palatograms). Results: This study highlights the interest of early rehabilitation of the tongue in the first post-operative days. Early rehabilitation was associated with a reduction in lingual atrophy, an improvement in motility of the tongue thus generating a better management of saliva and stagnant food in the oral vestibule on the paralysed side.
Price : 10.50 €
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