Line 4: Line 4:
| lines_access = PIV
| lines_access = PIV
| monitors = Standard, 5-lead ECG
| monitors = Standard, 5-lead ECG
| considerations_preoperative = History of head and neck radiation, airway history
| considerations_preoperative = History of head and neck radiation, extent of tumor and airway history
| considerations_intraoperative = Adequate muscle relaxation, electrocautery and risk of airway fire, tracheostomy may be indicated
| considerations_intraoperative = Adequate muscle relaxation/PONV prophylaxis, electrocautery and risk of airway fire, tracheostomy may be indicated
| considerations_postoperative = Assess degree of airway edema, smooth extubation
| considerations_postoperative = Assess degree of airway edema, smooth extubation
}}
}}
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Glossectomy refers to surgical removal of part or all the tongue. It is primarily performed for excision of malignant lesions in addition to benign neoplasms of the tongue, obstructive sleep apnea, and macroglossia. Excisional or incisional biopsies of tongue lesions of undetermined etiology are also performed.<ref name=":0">{{Citation|last=Bigcas|first=Jo-Lawrence M.|title=Glossectomy|date=2022|url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560636/|work=StatPearls|place=Treasure Island (FL)|publisher=StatPearls Publishing|pmid=32809471|access-date=2022-02-17|last2=Okuyemi|first2=Oluwafunmilola T.}}</ref>
Glossectomy refers to surgical removal of part or all the tongue. It is primarily performed for excision of malignant lesions in addition to benign neoplasms of the tongue, obstructive sleep apnea, and macroglossia. Excisional or incisional biopsies of tongue lesions of undetermined etiology are also performed.<ref name=":0">{{Citation|last=Bigcas|first=Jo-Lawrence M.|title=Glossectomy|date=2022|url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560636/|work=StatPearls|place=Treasure Island (FL)|publisher=StatPearls Publishing|pmid=32809471|access-date=2022-02-17|last2=Okuyemi|first2=Oluwafunmilola T.}}</ref>


There are several approaches to performing a glossectomy, most commonly transorally (through the mouth) for smaller and shallower tumors. Larger tumors or those with significant depth may require resection of the lower lip and mandible ("lip-split mandibulotomy"), or opening the sublingual or submental compartments for improved visualization of the inferior tongue ("transcervical pull-through"). Neck dissection and reconstruction can be performed for all glossectomy procedures.<ref name=":0" />  
There are several approaches to performing a glossectomy, most commonly transorally (through the mouth) for smaller and shallower tumors. Larger tumors or those with significant depth may require resection of the lower lip and mandible ("lip-split mandibulotomy"), or opening the sublingual or submental compartments for improved visualization of the inferior tongue ("transcervical pull-through"). Neck dissection and reconstruction may be performed for glossectomy procedures.<ref name=":0" />  


== Preoperative management ==
== Preoperative management ==
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|-
|-
|Other
|Other
|
|Consider history of alcohol abuse in head and neck cancers
|}
|}


=== Labs and studies<!-- Describe any important labs or studies. Include reasoning to justify the study and/or interpretation of results in the context of this procedure. If none, this section may be removed. --> ===
=== Labs and studies<!-- Describe any important labs or studies. Include reasoning to justify the study and/or interpretation of results in the context of this procedure. If none, this section may be removed. --> ===


* CT/MRI
* Head CT/MRI


=== Operating room setup<!-- Describe any unique aspects of operating room preparation. Avoid excessively granular information. Use drug classes instead of specific drugs when appropriate. If none, this section may be removed. --> ===
=== Operating room setup<!-- Describe any unique aspects of operating room preparation. Avoid excessively granular information. Use drug classes instead of specific drugs when appropriate. If none, this section may be removed. --> ===


* Supplemental equipment for a possible difficult airway including glidescope, fiberoptic, equipment for surgical airway
* Supplemental equipment for a possible difficult airway including glidescope, fiberoptic, equipment for surgical airway
* If oral intubation, reinforced ETT and bite block recommended
* If oral intubation, reinforced ETT and bite block recommended<ref name=":1" />
* Assistance should be immediately available during induction
* Assistance should be immediately available during induction


=== Patient preparation and premedication<!-- Describe any unique considerations for patient preparation and premedication. If none, this section may be removed. --> ===
=== Patient preparation and premedication<!-- Describe any unique considerations for patient preparation and premedication. If none, this section may be removed. --> ===


* Consider preoperative endoscopic or laryngoscopic airway exam to assess tumor extension<ref>{{Cite book|last=Nekhendzy|first=V|url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/983210379|title=Airway management in head and neck surgery. In: Hagberg's Benumof Airway Management, 4th edition|last2=Biro|first2=P|publisher=Elsevier Saunders|year=2018|isbn=978-0-323-42881-1|location=Philadelphia|pages=668-91|oclc=983210379}}</ref>
* Consider preoperative endoscopic or laryngoscopic airway exam to assess tumor extension<ref name=":2">{{Cite book|last=Nekhendzy|first=V|url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/983210379|title=Airway management in head and neck surgery. In: Hagberg's Benumof Airway Management, 4th edition|last2=Biro|first2=P|publisher=Elsevier Saunders|year=2018|isbn=978-0-323-42881-1|location=Philadelphia|pages=668-91|oclc=983210379}}</ref>
* Consider preop acetaminophen 500-1000 mg PO
* Consider pre-op acetaminophen 500-1000 mg PO
* Consider aprepitant 40-80 mg for patients with history of severe PONV
* Consider aprepitant 40-80 mg for patients with history of severe PONV


Line 73: Line 73:
=== Induction and airway management<!-- Describe the important considerations and general approach to the induction of anesthesia and how the airway is typically managed for this case. --> ===
=== Induction and airway management<!-- Describe the important considerations and general approach to the induction of anesthesia and how the airway is typically managed for this case. --> ===


* Standard premedication, preop administration of antisialogogue (glycopyrrolate) may improve operating conditions - check with surgeon<ref>{{Cite book|last=Jaffe|first=Richard|title=Anesthesiologist's Manual of Surgical Procedures|publisher=Lippincott Williams & Wilkins (LWW)|year=2019|isbn=978-1-49-637125-6|location=|pages=233-235}}</ref>
* Standard premedication, preop administration of antisialogogue (glycopyrrolate) may improve operating conditions - check with surgeon<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|last=Jaffe|first=Richard|title=Anesthesiologist's Manual of Surgical Procedures|publisher=Lippincott Williams & Wilkins (LWW)|year=2019|isbn=978-1-49-637125-6|location=|pages=233-235}}</ref>
* Nasal intubation may or may not be required depending on tumor location (for example, side versus base of tongue) and surgeon's preference
* Nasal intubation may or may not be required depending on tumor location (for example, side versus base of tongue) and surgeon's preference
* Consider awake fiberoptic if large tumor at the tongue base  
* Consider awake fiberoptic if large tumor at the tongue base  
Line 86: Line 86:
=== Maintenance and surgical considerations<!-- Describe the important considerations and general approach to the maintenance of anesthesia, including potential complications. Be sure to include any steps to the surgical procedure that have anesthetic implications. --> ===
=== Maintenance and surgical considerations<!-- Describe the important considerations and general approach to the maintenance of anesthesia, including potential complications. Be sure to include any steps to the surgical procedure that have anesthetic implications. --> ===


* TIVA with propofol/remifentanil or propofol/sufentanil useful for smooth extubation (opioid blunting tracheal response)
* TIVA with propofol/remifentanil or propofol/sufentanil useful for smooth extubation (opioid blunting tracheal response)<ref name=":2" />
* Complete muscle relaxation essential
* Complete muscle relaxation essential
* Maintaining lower MAP not mandatory but can decrease bleeding
* Maintaining lower MAP not mandatory but can decrease bleeding
Line 92: Line 92:
* PONV prophylaxis with dexamethasone and ondansetron
* PONV prophylaxis with dexamethasone and ondansetron
* Maintain FiO2 <0.3 if lasers are used to prevent airway fire
* Maintain FiO2 <0.3 if lasers are used to prevent airway fire
* Of note, surgical manipulation at the base of the tongue can cause vagally mediated ↓ HR, ↓ BP
* Of note, surgical manipulation at the base of the tongue can cause vagally mediated ↓ HR, ↓ BP<ref name=":1" />


=== Emergence<!-- List and/or describe any important considerations related to the emergence from anesthesia for this case. --> ===
=== Emergence<!-- List and/or describe any important considerations related to the emergence from anesthesia for this case. --> ===
Line 119: Line 119:
* Infection
* Infection
* Aspiration
* Aspiration
* If neck dissection, consider risk of bleeding (external jugular/carotid artery), dysrhythmias if compression of the carotid sinus, venous air embolism if open veins <ref>{{Cite book|last=Feldman|first=MA|title=Anesthesia for eye, ear, nose, and throat surgery. In: Miller RD, ed. Miller's Anesthesia, 7th edition|last2=Patel|first2=A|publisher=Elsevier|year=2010|isbn=|location=Philadelphia|pages=2357-88}}</ref>


== Procedure variants<!-- This section should only be used for cases with multiple approaches (e.g. Laparoscopic vs. open appendectomy). Otherwise, remove this section. Use this table to very briefly compare and contrast various aspects between approaches. Add or remove rows as needed to maximize relevance. Consider using symbols rather than words when possible (e.g. +, –, additional symbols such as ↑ and ↓ are available using the "Ω" tool in the editor). --> ==
== Procedure variants<!-- This section should only be used for cases with multiple approaches (e.g. Laparoscopic vs. open appendectomy). Otherwise, remove this section. Use this table to very briefly compare and contrast various aspects between approaches. Add or remove rows as needed to maximize relevance. Consider using symbols rather than words when possible (e.g. +, –, additional symbols such as ↑ and ↓ are available using the "Ω" tool in the editor). --> ==

Revision as of 16:47, 17 February 2022

Glossectomy
Anesthesia type

General

Airway

Nasal ETT, Oral ETT, consider awake

Lines and access

PIV

Monitors

Standard, 5-lead ECG

Primary anesthetic considerations
Preoperative

History of head and neck radiation, extent of tumor and airway history

Intraoperative

Adequate muscle relaxation/PONV prophylaxis, electrocautery and risk of airway fire, tracheostomy may be indicated

Postoperative

Assess degree of airway edema, smooth extubation

Article quality
Editor rating
Comprehensive
User likes
1

Glossectomy refers to surgical removal of part or all the tongue. It is primarily performed for excision of malignant lesions in addition to benign neoplasms of the tongue, obstructive sleep apnea, and macroglossia. Excisional or incisional biopsies of tongue lesions of undetermined etiology are also performed.[1]

There are several approaches to performing a glossectomy, most commonly transorally (through the mouth) for smaller and shallower tumors. Larger tumors or those with significant depth may require resection of the lower lip and mandible ("lip-split mandibulotomy"), or opening the sublingual or submental compartments for improved visualization of the inferior tongue ("transcervical pull-through"). Neck dissection and reconstruction may be performed for glossectomy procedures.[1]

Preoperative management

Patient evaluation

System Considerations
Neurologic
Cardiovascular Consider CAD if smoking history
Respiratory Mouth opening, tongue fixation / mass obstruction of the airway, presence of trismus. Consider pulmonary pathology related to smoking history. Consider OSA and possible related pHTN
Gastrointestinal Assess for dysphagia/GERD
Hematologic
Renal
Endocrine
Other Consider history of alcohol abuse in head and neck cancers

Labs and studies

  • Head CT/MRI

Operating room setup

  • Supplemental equipment for a possible difficult airway including glidescope, fiberoptic, equipment for surgical airway
  • If oral intubation, reinforced ETT and bite block recommended[2]
  • Assistance should be immediately available during induction

Patient preparation and premedication

  • Consider preoperative endoscopic or laryngoscopic airway exam to assess tumor extension[3]
  • Consider pre-op acetaminophen 500-1000 mg PO
  • Consider aprepitant 40-80 mg for patients with history of severe PONV

Regional and neuraxial techniques

Intraoperative management

Monitoring and access

  • Standard monitors, PIV
  • Mouth gags per surgeon

Induction and airway management

  • Standard premedication, preop administration of antisialogogue (glycopyrrolate) may improve operating conditions - check with surgeon[2]
  • Nasal intubation may or may not be required depending on tumor location (for example, side versus base of tongue) and surgeon's preference
  • Consider awake fiberoptic if large tumor at the tongue base

Positioning

  • Supine, arms tucked
  • Arm positioning may differ if radial free flap
  • If neck dissection, avoid neck over-rotation and brachial plexus stretch injuries
  • Table often 180°

Maintenance and surgical considerations

  • TIVA with propofol/remifentanil or propofol/sufentanil useful for smooth extubation (opioid blunting tracheal response)[3]
  • Complete muscle relaxation essential
  • Maintaining lower MAP not mandatory but can decrease bleeding
  • Prophylactic steroids for airway edema
  • PONV prophylaxis with dexamethasone and ondansetron
  • Maintain FiO2 <0.3 if lasers are used to prevent airway fire
  • Of note, surgical manipulation at the base of the tongue can cause vagally mediated ↓ HR, ↓ BP[2]

Emergence

  • Assess degree of upper airway obstruction prior to extubation - may be impossible to reintubate if obstruction occurs
  • Smooth extubation important if skin graft used for closure (graft hematomas are the primary cause of skin graft failure)
  • Extubation after recovery of protective airway reflexes
  • If extubated, may require treatment with humidified oxygen or nebulized bronchodilators

Postoperative management

Disposition

  • Inpatient admission depending on size/location, free flap, tracheostomy
  • Encourage early nutrition, foley removal, mobilization

Pain management

  • Intraoperative infiltration with local anesthetic
  • Multimodal including non-opioid and bolus/PCA opioid analgesics

Potential complications

  • Airway obstruction second to airway edema
  • Bleeding
  • Infection
  • Aspiration
  • If neck dissection, consider risk of bleeding (external jugular/carotid artery), dysrhythmias if compression of the carotid sinus, venous air embolism if open veins [4]

Procedure variants

Partial Subtotal/Total Resection
Unique considerations
Position Supine <--
Surgical time 1-3 hr 3-8 hr
EBL 50-150 mL 100-300 mL
Postoperative disposition Inpatient depending on degree of resection / neck dissection / flap <-- May require prolonged intubation or tracheostomy care
Pain management Multimodal <--
Potential complications Bleeding, infection, aspiration <--

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Bigcas, Jo-Lawrence M.; Okuyemi, Oluwafunmilola T. (2022), "Glossectomy", StatPearls, Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing, PMID 32809471, retrieved 2022-02-17
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Jaffe, Richard (2019). Anesthesiologist's Manual of Surgical Procedures. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins (LWW). pp. 233–235. ISBN 978-1-49-637125-6.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Nekhendzy, V; Biro, P (2018). Airway management in head and neck surgery. In: Hagberg's Benumof Airway Management, 4th edition. Philadelphia: Elsevier Saunders. pp. 668–91. ISBN 978-0-323-42881-1. OCLC 983210379.
  4. Feldman, MA; Patel, A (2010). Anesthesia for eye, ear, nose, and throat surgery. In: Miller RD, ed. Miller's Anesthesia, 7th edition. Philadelphia: Elsevier. pp. 2357–88.