title: Surgical management of macroglossia: discussion of 7 cases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We present an overview of international literature concerning macroglossia-related etiology, clinical and instrumental diagnoses, surgical treatments, complications, and recurrences. Moreover, we present a series of cases of patients affected by macroglossia who have been treated surgically at the Department of Maxillofacial Surgery of the University of Rome "La Sapienza".
  
  
  METHODS
  Between 1990 and 1999, only after attempts to solve this pathologic condition with medical and orthodontic treatment, we treated surgically a total of 7 patients (4 male and 3 female). The surgical techniques used were Köle glossectomy and Dingman and Grabb glossectomy. We analyzed the clinical and instrumental study and the surgical treatment, including possible complications and recurrences.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After follow-up of a period from 2 to 9 years, macroglossia recurrences were absent, showing that the Köle and the Dingman and Grabb glossectomies are viable surgical options for treatment of macroglossia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The best therapy for each case macroglossia must be carefully evaluated, with the right medical therapy and orthodontic therapy attempted first and surgical treatment performed only when the first and second therapy fail. Moreover, surgical techniques must be chosen in accordance with the functional results that one wants to achieve and must be the most conservative technique to preserve the vascular-nerve bundle.
authors.affiliation: Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Rome "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy. giuliogasparini@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Giulio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gasparini
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Saltarel
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Carboni
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Maggiulli
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Becelli
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001506:Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D003394:Craniofacial Dysostosis / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005927:Glossectomy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008260:Macroglossia / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male