Mandibular lingual release versus mandibular lip-split approach for expanded resection of middle–late tongue cancer: A case-control study

Abstract

ObjectiveThe mandibular lingual release (MLR) and mandibular lip-split (MS) approaches are the two common access approaches for resection of malignant tongue tumors. This case-control study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of these two approaches for the expanded resection of middle–late tongue cancer. Material and methodsA total of 56 matched patients with resectable middle–late squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue body were consecutively hospitalized for expanded resection using the MLR (n = 26) or MS approach (n = 30) between March 2004 and November 2012. Main outcome measures consisted of tumor exposure, surgical morbidity, maxillofacial motor–sensory return, and head/neck-specific quality of life. ResultsThe two approaches achieved similar en bloc R0 resection with similar tumor exposure. The MLR approach was associated with a significantly lower frequency of maxillofacial pain (P < 0.05) and no incidence of mandible nonunion. The MLR approach was also associated with a significantly better quality of life with respect to local pain, facial appearance, and mood. ConclusionCompared to the MS approach, the MLR approach was associated with significantly less surgical morbidity and a significantly better quality of life for middle–late tongue cancer patients undergoing expanded resection.