Maxillectomy Treatment

Why Maxillectomy is Performed?

The purpose of maxillectomy is to treat the tumours on maxillofacial bones. Surgical intervention is sought only when the tumours take a life-threatening form and cannot be cured with medications.

What are the Types of Maxillectomy?

• Medial Maxillectomy Part of the bone (maxilla) beside the nose is removed. The eye and the hard palate are saved. This technique is used primarily for tumours inside the nose.
• Infrastructure Maxillectomy The palate, teeth, and lower some portion of the bone are removed. The orbital floor is left untouched. This strategy will require a free fold to recreate the zone or an obturator.
• Superstructure Maxillectomy The hard palate is kept intact. The orbital floor is removed alongside the upper piece of the bone. The orbit could be removed. This methodology will require reconstruction.
• Subtotal Maxillectomy This methodology is a combination of other techniques. In this procedure, the bone isn’t removed. The related method and reconstruction will rely upon the size of a tumour and the degree of the reconstruction.
• Total Maxillectomy A total maxillectomy includes the removal of the hard palate and the orbital floor, along with the whole bone. This procedure may require significant reconstruction. It is time-consuming as well.

Who Qualifies for the Maxillectomy?

Maxillectomy is recommended for patients who have tumours on the maxilla bone (maxillofacial tumour) or nearby structures, including the maxillary sinuses, the nose, and the palate, among others.

People who fulfill following criteria are chosen for surgical intervention.

• Chondroblastoma (rare, benign bone tumour)
• Chondroma, or tumour of the nasal pit.
• Sinonasal tumours, or dangerous neoplasms of the sinuses.
• Osteoma, or tumours that influence the maxillofacial region.
• Odontogenic tumours of the maxilla, for example, radicular and dental cysts.
• Intraosseous hemangioma, which regularly influences the maxilla and the nasal bone.
• Osteosarcoma, or harmful tumours that originate in the maxilla or mandible.
• Maxillary carcinoma, or oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) influencing the floor of the mouth and its adjacent bones.
• Maxillary osteoblastoma, a rare tumour which happens in the long bones of the face, for example, the maxilla and the mandible.

What Happens Amid the Procedure?

You will be given general anaesthesia for your surgery. If a reconstruction (free fold) is performed, you will have to spend at least 7 days in the healing facility. Related surgeries may incorporate removal of an eye, extraction of lymph nodes, and breathing tube Your specialist will inform you about the medical procedures, along with advantages and complications.

What are the Complications of Maxillectomy?

Like any other surgery, there are specific risks and complications related to a maxillectomy. These may include:

• Untimely bleeding
• Haematoma
• Numbness or weakness in facial muscles
• Epiphora (unending tearing of the eyes)
• Anaesthesia-related difficulties
• Infection may occur without proper care
• Blood clot formation (deep vein thrombosis)
• Nerve damage causing numbness in the cheek
• Enophthalmos (a condition in which an eye sinks into the cheek)