[Total glossectomy without laryngectomy. Surgical techniques and its controversies].

UNLABELLED: Total glossectomy is the procedure for entire removal of the tongue, practice considered as one of the most mutilating possible done in head and neck surgery. Vital functions altered after tongue resection are: mastication, language and swallowing. It's controversial the role played by total laryngectomy considering the definitive split of respiratory and digestive tracts. Some AA. perform apart both ectomies pending of the suitable rehabilitation. OBJECTIVE: Report of a case of glossectomy recently operated maintaining the larynx and review the several operative steps, the complications until satisfactory swallow was achieved and perusal of literature on this controversial subject.