Oral Rehabilitation of Marginal Maxillectomy Patient After Local Flap Reconstruction

Area of Science:

• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Prosthodontics
• Oncology

Background:

• Oral cancer treatment, particularly maxillectomy, frequently results in significant oral defects and functional impairments.
• Rehabilitation of patients following maxillectomy presents challenges in restoring mastication, deglutition, and facial aesthetics.
• Trismus and tissue scarring are common complications impacting patient quality of life.

Observation:

• A 65-year-old male patient presented with post-maxillectomy complications including tissue scarring and reduced mouth opening after oral cancer surgery.
• The patient required complex oral rehabilitation to address functional and aesthetic deficits.
• Conventional removable prosthetics were considered for the rehabilitation plan.

Findings:

• Preprosthetic surgery was performed to address tissue scarring and improve the intraoral environment.
• A conventional removable prosthesis was successfully fabricated and fitted to restore oral function.
• The combined approach of preprosthetic surgery and prosthetic rehabilitation yielded positive functional and aesthetic outcomes.

Implications:

• Preprosthetic surgery followed by conventional removable prosthetics is a viable and effective strategy for complex oral cancer defect rehabilitation.
• This treatment approach can significantly improve chewing, swallowing, and aesthetic parameters in patients with marginal maxillectomies.
• Successful rehabilitation enhances the patient's overall quality of life after extensive oncological surgery.