ABOUT THE LANGUAGE STATE

A goiter of the base of the tongue, or lingual goiter, is rare. A. N. Bezruchenko (1952) mentions 112 observations described in the world literature. Domestic authors by 1957 had 18 observations of lingual goiter (A.I. Gnatyshak). The rarity of such localizations of goiter often causes inaccuracy of the preoperative diagnosis. At the same time, the methodology and scope of the surgical intervention are varied, since each author went his own way, focusing more on his experience and technique. MP Gorbunova (1951) removed the goiter of the root of the tongue by dissecting the right cheek. Access was limited, as a result of which the second large molar had to be extracted and the horizontal ramus of the mandible was sawn through. A. N. Bezruchenko (1952) removed the lingual goiter through the thyroid-hyoid membrane. The hyoid bone was displaced upward. Hulling was done without opening the throat. AI Gnatyshak used a horseshoe-shaped incision in the submandibular region. Both salivary submandibular glands were removed; to increase access, the lateral pharyngeal wall with a part of the lingopharyngeal arch was incised. Most authors with the small size of the lingual goiter removed it partially or completely through the mouth.