Morphologic and histologic outcomes of tongue reduction surgery in an animal model.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the effect of anterior tongue reduction surgery on tongue size, morphology, and histology.

DESIGN

Prospective experiment.

MATERIALS: Twenty-two 12-week-old Yucatan minipigs.

METHODS

Six sibling pairs had tongue reduction (Group B) or sham surgery (Group A), and underwent euthanasia the day of surgery. Five sibling pairs had tongue reduction (Group D) or sham surgery (Group C), and were raised for four weeks. Data collected included changes in tongue morphology, histology, and animal response to surgery.

RESULTS

All animals tolerated surgery and maintained their weight. Tongue size was uniformly reduced in all animals as compared to sham surgery. Tongue reduction was stable long term in Group D. All animals had normal wound healing and neurovascular structure preservation. Fibrosis occurred at the repair site.

CONCLUSION

Midline tongue reduction resulted in uniform tongue reduction in all dimensions and volume, without damaging neurovascular structures. Localized fibrosis is a sequela of healing.