Simulation of a partial glossectomy with primary closure on a biomechanical tongue model for simulation of postoperative motion impairment

Oral Cancer is notorious for its effect on quality of life (QOL) after treatment. Because of the complex structures and systems involved in oral functions, it’s not possible for a surgeon to predict the exact functional consequences of a treatment. In this study we present a user-friendly tool for the surgeon to simulate the closure of a resection volume, including sutures and fibrosis, after surgery, and the automated adaptation of a FE model of the tongue and base of the tongue. One patient case is presented to show that the biomechanical model was able to give a qualitative indication about the postoperative impairment for five manoeuvres of the tongue.