New surgical method of tongue reduction for macroglossia: technical note

Abstract

Objective: We describe here a new surgical technique, which allows for efficient tongue reduction with satisfactory appearance and avoids the complications of tip excision.

Study design: This is a retrospective case review that includes 6 patients who had macroglossia and underwent tongue reduction using our new central V-shaped excision technique. Three patients were operated on at an early age because of significant macroglossia with permanent tongue protrusion, cosmetic disorder, and speech delay. The other 3 patients underwent surgery performed in their teenage years because medical treatment had been unsuccessful. We assessed tongue shape, mobility, taste, and sensitivity.

Results: The postoperative follow-up period ranged from 2 months to 16 years (average 7 years). On subjective evaluation, all patients were satisfied with the appearance of the tongue and reported no sensitive or sensory difficulties. The patients reported normal food progression in the oral cavity. Objective evaluation showed that the tongue had normal mobility, taste, and sensitivity. Postoperatively, there was no residual tongue protrusion, cosmetic disorder, or speech delay. None of the patients needed revision surgery.

Conclusions: This central V-shaped excision offers good surgical results, with efficient tongue reduction and none of the complications of other tongue reduction techniques, such as tip amputation or anterior wedge resection.