Relationship between postoperative lingual nerve dysfunction and quality of life in oral cancer patients

doi:10.19438/j.cjoms.2022.05.006

Abstract

Abstract: PURPOSE: To investigate the oral function and quality of life of patients presenting with lingual nerve injury after radical surgery for oral cancer by means of a self-administered questionnaire, to provide a basis for the clinical management of patients with lingual nerve injury. METHODS: Through qualitative sensory analysis of 350 patients, forty patients with tongue sensory numbness were screened out, and the questionnaire was conducted by self-made Rehabilitation Questionnaire of Tongue Sensory Dysfunction. RESULTS: According to the results, the 5 most common manifestations of tongue sensory dysfunction were ①fear of not recovering from altered sensation; ② difficulty in making expressions that require tongue involvement; ③difficulty in speaking; ④inability to be aware of food residue on the floor of the mouth or tongue to maintain oral hygiene; ⑤difficulty in sleeping due to altered tongue sensation. CONCLUSIONS: The decline in quality of life due to tongue sensory dysfunction is multifaceted and oral and maxillofacial surgery providers should enhance the perioperative assessment and management of lingual nerve injury.

Key words: Oral cancer, Questionnaire survey, Lingual nerve, Quality of life

CLC Number:

R739.8

WU Zi-qian, YIN Yu-lan, YANG Wen-yu, ZHANG Zhen, HOU Li-li, WANG Lei. Relationship between postoperative lingual nerve dysfunction and quality of life in oral cancer patients[J]. China Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 2022, 20(5): 449-454.

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