Effect of High Temperature Vulcanized Silicone Tongue Prosthesis on Speech Function in Total Glossectomy Patients
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Abstract
Statement of the problem: Rehabilitation following total glossectomy with tongue prosthesis is very multifaceted clinical procedure. Important objectives of prosthetic rehabilitation is to deliver a precise prosthesis which can reinstate the impaired speech & deglutition function.
Purpose: Rehabilitation of total glossectomy patients with silicone tongue prosthesis fabricated using High Temperature Vulcanized Silicone (HTV Silicone) to assess enhancement in speech and deglutition function.
Material & method: Tongue prostheses were fabricated with high temperature vulcanizing silicone and heat polymerizing acrylic to restore the lost speech and deglutition functions after surgical resection of tongue for 7 completely edentulos patients. Patient’s speech was assessed using Dr speech software version 4. The speech software was used to evaluate diverse speech parameters such as maximum phonation time, fundamental frequency, intensity, jitter & shimmer. Speech assessment was done before prosthetic rehabilitation, immediately after insertion of HTV silicone tongue prosthesis and two weeks after insertion of the HTV silicone tongue prosthesis. Deglutition valuation was done in a subjective manner by using a standardized questionnaire designed by the speech pathologist.
Results: Upon analysis of various speech parameters Frequency range (Fo) was better with prosthesis i.e. 169.16 Hz as compared to without prosthesis i.e. 108.49 Hz. Speech intelligibility was enhanced remarkably with tongue prosthesis. Deglutition assessment shown that patient’s deglutition abilities were better after insertion of tongue prosthsis.
Conclusion: Tongue prosthesis helps to improve speech and articulation in completely edentulous patients who have undergone total glossectomy. Also the deglutition capability is considerably improved.