Preoperative Tongue and Swallowing Prehabilitation Improves Early Postoperative Functional Recovery following Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery: A Controlled Pilot Study.

Abstract

Objective: Postoperative functional impairment, including reduced tongue strength and swallowing efficiency, is common following oral andmaxillofacial surgery. Prehabilitation strategies targeting oral function may enhance postoperative recovery; however, clinical evidence remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a preoperative tongue and swallowing exercise program on early postoperative functional recovery in patients undergoing oral and maxillofacial surgery.

Materials and methods: This pilot-controlled rehabilitation study included eight adults undergoing oral and maxillofacial surgery, allocated to either standard postoperative rehabilitation alone or a 2-week preoperative tongue and swallowing exercise program followed by standard postoperative care. Maximum anterior (AMTS) and posterior tongue strength (PMTS) and swallowing-related quality of life assessed using the dysphagia handicap index (DHI) were measured preoperatively and at 4, 8, and 12 weeks postoperatively. Analyses focused on describing recovery trajectories and estimating changes over time to inform feasibility and effect size estimation.

Results: Baseline characteristics were comparable between groups. Both groups demonstrated reductions in AMTS and PMTS at 4 weeks after surgery. Participants who performed preoperative exercises showed smaller early declines and a pattern of progressive recovery toward baseline tongue strength values over the 12-week follow-up, whereas recovery appeared more limited in the postoperative-only group. Changes in DHI scores suggested potential between-group differences in perceived swallowing impact at later postoperative time points.

Conclusion: Preoperative tongue and swallowing prehabilitation may facilitate early postoperative functional recovery in oral and maxillofacial surgery patients. These findings support the potential role of targeted oral functional training as an adjunct to perioperative care. Further large-scale randomized studies are warranted.