• 8/23/2006
  • Gliwice , Poland
  • Jarosław Juszkiewicz
  • Polskie Radio (www.plskieradio.pl)

The first tongue reconstruction surgery has been performed by the Silesian surgeons. The patient is a 23 year old cancer patient.

Although this kind of tumor is not very frequent it can completely destroy patient’s life. Usually oncologists have to excise the whole tongue, a part of oral cavity and lymphatic nodes. After such massive surgery patients are usually not able to function independently. Talking and normal eating are not possible. But not this time. The patient who was transported to the Oncology Institute in Gliwice a few weeks ago was suffering. The removal of the tongue seemed unavoidable, but the doctors decided to perform the reconstruction.

During the surgery they’ve taken a piece of skin with muscles, blood vessels and nerves from the upper part of his leg. After a modeling process they’ve formed a substitute for the tongue. Prof. Ron Yo from the United States participated in the surgery. He is one of the best reconstruction surgeons in the world. “The tongue reconstruction is one of the most difficult medical operations.” – He says – “especially when we compare it to the reconstruction of the breast.

After the operation 50 percent of patients are able to swallow and talk clearly enough to be understood not only by family members but also by people the meet on the street.” – says prof. Yo. This was not the first pioneering surgery performed by specialists from Gliwice. Last month they reconstructed a thigh bone of 21 year old patient.

The operation saved the man’s leg. From November 2001 doctors from The Oncology Institute in Gliwice performed over 300 reconstructions of parts of head, neck and over 50 breast reconstructions.