Análise acústica das vogais: estudo comparativo de F1 e F2 emindivíduos glossectomizados parciais e no grupo controle / Acoustic analysis of vowels: comparative study of F1 and F2 between subjects who have undergone to partial glossectomy with a control group

Introdução: O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar as mudanças acústicas do primeiro formante (F1) e do segundo formante (F2) nas vogais orais do português brasileiro de pacientes submetidos à glossectomia parcial, comparando-as com pacientes não submetidos à cirurgia. Materiais e Metodologia: Registram-se as emissões sustentadas das 5 vogais orais de 5 indivíduos do sexo masculino, com média de idade de 53,2 anos, sem histórico de cirurgia em região de cavidade oral, e comparou-as acusticamente com emissões de 5 indivíduos submetidos à glossectomia parcial. Para análise estatística das amostras vocais utilizou-se o teste não paramétrico de Mann-Whitney. Resultados: Verificou-se que os parâmetros acústicos do segundo formante (F2) apresentaram-se inferiores na vogal /i/ quando comparado ao grupo controle. Não houve diferença significativa na comparação dos valores do primeiro formante (F1) entre grupo controle e glossectomizados assim como nos valores do segundo formante (F2) para as demais vogais entre os grupos. Discussão: Mesmo sendo a língua de fundamental importância na produção da fala e voz, esses parâmetros podem apresentar-se satisfatórios após a realização da glossectomia parcial. Conclusão: Os indivíduos submetidos à glossectomia parcial, permanecem aptos a realizar elevação da língua devido à preservação da musculatura responsável por esta e/ou à compensação realizada pelas estruturas remanescentes. Devido a este, não foram verificadas alterações nos valores do primeiro formante (F1). Estando o segundo formante (F2) relacionado ao deslocamento antero-posterior da língua e o fato da vogal /i/ exigir um grau maior de anteriorização da língua em relação às demais vogais, os valores do segundo formante (F2) para esta, encontram-se significativamente inferiores.

Introduction: The purpose of this paper was to measure the acoustical changes in the first formant (F1) and in the second formant (F2) in the vowels produced by the patients who have undergone the partial glossectomy and compare with the ones from the control group. Materials and Methods: Data from the speakers with partial glossectomy were compared with age-gender matched controls. For the analysis of F1 and F2 formant in the vocal sample was used the non-parametric test Mann-Whitney. Results: Speakers with partial glossectomy showed lower mean F2 in vowel /i/ when compared with the control speakers. Results indicated no significant difference in F1 in any of the vowels. Discussion: Despite the fact that the tongue has essential function in the process of the speaking and voice production, these parameters can still be satisfactory after the partial glossectomy. Conclusions: The subjects who have undergone a partial glossectomy are still able to achieve lingual height requirements, because either the muscles responsible for lingual elevation and depression have been preserved or the subjects have been able to develop compensation. Because of this fact, there was not any difference in the frequency of F1. Being F2 related to the anterior-posterior movement of the tongue and the fact that in the production of the vowel /i/ needs more anterior movement in comparison with the others, the numbers in these cases are significantly lower.

Quality of life outcome measures following partial glossectomy: assessment using the UW-QOL scale.

BACKGROUND: The consequences of a diagnosis of head and neck cancer and the impact of treatment have a clear and direct influence on well-being and associated quality of life (QOL) in these patients. AIMS: To determine the QOL in head and neck cancer patients following a partial glossectomy operation. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional cohort study; Head and Neck Oncology Unit, tertiary referral center. Materials and METHODS: 38 patients with partial glossectomy were assessed with the University of Washington head and neck quality of life (UW-QOL) scale, version 4. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences 10.0 (SPSS Inc, Chicago version III). Information from the scale was correlated using the Mann Whitney test. A P value less than/equal to 0.05 was considered as significant. RESULTS: The mean (sd) composite score of the QOL in our series was 73.6 (16.1). The majority (71.8%) quoted their QOL as good or very good. Swallowing (n = 16, 47.1%), speech (n = 15, 44.1%) and saliva (n = 15, 44.1%) were most commonly cited issues over the last 7 days. On the other hand, the groups with reconstruction, neck dissection, complications and radiotherapy demonstrated a significant reduction of quality of life scores (Mann Whitney test, P < 0.005). CONCLUSION: The composite score and overall QOL as assessed using the UW-QOL scale (version 4) were modestly high in our series of partial glossectomy patients. Swallowing, speech, and saliva are regarded as the most important issues. Stage of the disease, neck dissection, reconstruction, complications, radiotherapy and time since operation were seen to significantly affect domain scores.