Principles of surgical management of midfacial carcinoma

A series of large, midfacial, squamous cell and basal cell carcinomas treated by the Departments of Otolaryngology and Dermatology (Cleveland Clinic Foundation) are reported. Most cases required total/partial resection of the external nose, upper lip, hard palate, nasal septum, and adjacent midfacial soft tissues. Emphasis is placed on the principles of preoperative and intraoperative management as it relates to intraoral prosthetic design and total margin control of the surgical specimen. The immediate and delayed reconstructive philosophy and techniques employed here are discussed in detail. Recurrence rates and free-to-disease survival times are also reviewed.