Abstract
Objective: To correlate the swallowing function and the skin incision with the extent of a maxillectomy and mandibulectomy for oral cavity cancer.
Design: Retrospective study
Patients: Eighty-one patients treated with a maxillectomy or mandibulectomy for cancer of the upper gingival (n=16), lower gingival (n=41) and buccal mucosa (n=24) between 2000 and 2012.
Main Outcome Measures: Postoperative oral intake ability and the resection related skin incision.
Results: The swallowing function was not correlated with the extent of the ostectomy. In the case of a maxillectomy on its own, a partial maxillectomy was performed via the transoral approach, or a subtotal maxillectomy with the Weber Ferguson approach. In the case of a mandibulectomy on its own, resection of the body of the mandible was performed via transoral approach or a submandibular incision, and a resection including the mandubular ramus accompanied by splitting of the lower lip. When a maxillectomy and mandibulectomy were performed together, splitting of the lower lip or a preauricular-submandibular incision were appropriate.
Conclusions: The extent of a maxillectomy and mandibulectomy performed for oral cavity cancer had no effect on postoperative oral intake ability but did affect on which skin incision to choose.
