Masticatory function in hemimandibulectomy patients.

Surgical resection of a segment or loss of continuity of the mandible can adversely affect most of the structures essential for mastication. Five subjects who had hemimandibular resections for cure of squamous cell carcinoma were studied. Masticatory function tests were conducted pre- and post-surgery and post-prosthetic rehabilitation. A 0.5-g Frito corn chip served as the test food, and a sieve analysis was used to evaluate swallowing threshold and masticatory performance. Ten controls were studied in order to determine corresponding normative scores. Post-surgery results indicate that the extent of mandibular resection and loss of continuity tend to decrease masticatory function. The time required to perform the mastication test, and the number of strokes required to achieve swallowing threshold were increased. Prosthetic rehabilitation did improve masticatory function in some patients. Loss of mandibular continuity may not be an absolute predictor of decreased masticatory function.