What is Maxillectomy?

The maxillectomy procedure is a surgical technique to remove all or part of the upper jaw (maxillary bone) to treat both benign and malignant tumours of the oral cavity.

When is Maxillectomy Performed?

Maxillectomy indications: It is used for malignant and benign tumours of the nose (nasal cavity), hard palate, the maxillary sinuses, or any tumour that has grown to involve the maxilla. In general, maxillectomy is recommended to treat oral cavity cancers.

Before Surgery

Dr Neetu Modgil, recommend her patients to follow specific instructions regarding what to do before surgery. In general cases, the patient should avoid drinking or eating anything any time after midnight – if the surgery is scheduled the next morning.

Maxillectomy Procedure

Maxillectomy is commonly performed under general anaesthesia – and sometimes involves the placement of prosthetic (artificial devices) that fill the roof of the mouth. This will ensure faster post-operative recovery.

Maxillectomy Types

Maxillectomy Classification: Depending upon the procedure, Maxillectomy is classified into different types. There are five types of maxillectomies, which are:

Medical Maxillectomy: In this procedure, the part of the maxilla next to the nose is removed, but the hard palate and the eye are preserved. A medical maxillectomy is generally performed as an open procedure or, in some cases, endoscopically.

Infrastructure Maxillectomy: The hard palate and lower part of the maxilla are removed in an infrastructure maxillectomy and some of the teeth, but the orbital floor is kept intact.

Suprastructure Maxillectomy: In this type of maxillectomy, the upper part of the maxilla and the orbital floor are removed, but the hard palate is kept intact.

Subtotal Maxillectomy: In subtotal maxillectomy, a portion of the maxilla is removed.

Total Maxillectomy: In this method of maxillectomy, the orbital floor, the hard palate, and the entire maxilla on one side of the face are removed. Depending on the extent of the tumour invasion, sometimes the orbit will also need to be removed.

Maxillectomy Complications: As with any surgery – the risks may include bleeding, swelling, infection, nerve damage causing numbness in the cheek, eye tearing – which is chronic.

What can you expect after Maxillectomy?

In general, it may involve a 4 – 5 days stay in the hospital. You should follow all the instructions as directed by your ENT surgeon while recovering at home.

Your ENT doctor will instruct you about changing your diet – and also about the need to rehabilitate – speech, and swallowing therapy. The other instruction you may get include the changes you may need to make in your lifestyle – such as activity levels. In general, the complete recovery process may involve physical therapy – which will mostly depend on the extent of surgery and reconstruction underwent.