What happens during a mandibulectomy | CION Cancer Clinics

It is a long operation. When the jaw is rebuilt with bone from the leg, it often takes most of the day, because the cancer, the neck glands and the reconstruction are all done under one anaesthetic. Ask your surgeon for the likely length in your case.

You will have pain, and it is managed. Pain medicines are given through a drip at first, and later through the feeding tube. The neck and leg wounds often hurt more than people expect, while the mouth can feel numb. Tell the nurses early rather than waiting until it becomes hard to bear.

It depends on the size of the operation and how quickly you recover. Most people go home once they are breathing safely without the neck tube, are fed well, and can walk with support. People who had bone taken from the leg usually stay longer.

Not straight away. With a breathing tube in the neck and a swollen mouth, speaking is hard in the first days. Most people write notes, type on a phone or point at a letter board. Speech usually returns as the swelling settles and the tube is capped, often with help from a speech therapist.

Teeth in the part of the jaw being removed come out with it. A dentist may also advise taking out other badly damaged teeth before surgery, especially if radiotherapy is likely, because decay near treated bone heals poorly. Replacing teeth later is sometimes possible, and your surgeon can explain the options.

Very rarely. Most mandibulectomies remove only the section the cancer involves. That may be a thin rim from the top of the bone or a full section from one part of the jaw. The rest stays in place and is joined to the rebuilt part.

Sometimes. The decision is made once the final laboratory report comes back, showing whether the margins were clear and whether lymph nodes contained cancer. The tumour board reviews that report and advises whether radiotherapy, sometimes with chemotherapy, would lower the chance of the cancer coming back.

Cancer surgery is often covered when it is part of an approved treatment plan. Aarogyasri, CGHS, ECHS and EHS are accepted, and most cashless insurers are empanelled. Cover for reconstruction and intensive care varies between schemes, so call the helpline with your card details before admission.