Masticatory Function and Associated Factors in Patients With Prosthetic Rehabilitation After Mandibulectomy for Oral Cancer: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND

Although masticatory function (MF) in patients with prosthetic rehabilitation after mandibulectomy for oral cancer has been reported to be influenced by multiple factors, comprehensive evaluations of MF from clinical perspectives remain insufficient.

PURPOSE: To comprehensively evaluate MF and its associated factors in patients with prosthetic rehabilitation after mandibulectomy for oral cancer.

METHODS

The potential study participants were patients who had undergone mandibulectomy for oral cancer and received mandibular prosthetic rehabilitation. Age, sex, the number of remaining teeth and the number of total and posterior functioning occlusal supports were extracted. Information on cancer-related therapies (surgical procedure, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, glossectomy and neck dissection) and measurement values of oral functions (MF, oral moisture, maximum occlusal force (MOF), tongue-lip motor functions and maximum tongue pressure) were also extracted. Differences in MF were statistically evaluated according to cancer-related therapies. The Spearman correlation coefficients and logistic regression analysis were performed to evaluate associations between MF and these factors.

RESULTS

A total of 41 patients were included in this study. MF was moderately and significantly associated with the number of remaining teeth, total and posterior functioning occlusal supports, MOF, and tongue-lip motor functions. More invasive cancer-related therapies significantly declined MF. Logistic regression analysis identified the presence of posterior functioning occlusal supports as a significant explanatory variable for MF.

CONCLUSIONS

MF in patients with prosthetic rehabilitation after mandibulectomy was influenced by multiple factors. Notably, a crucial role of the presence of posterior functioning occlusal supports in MF was identified.