What is Maxillectomy?

Maxillectomy is the surgical procedure for removing all or part of the upper jaw(maxillary bone).

When is Maxillectomy Performed?

Maxillectomy is used for malignant and benign tumors of the nose, hard palate, the maxillary sinus, or any tumor that has grown to involve the maxilla.

Before Surgery:

At Dr. Neetu Modgil, each patient will be given specific instructions regarding what to do before surgery. In general cases, the patient should avoid drinking or eating anything any time after midnight the night before surgery.

Procedure:

Maxillectomy is commonly performed under general anesthesia.

Types of Maxillectomies:

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 tumor invasion, sometimes the orbit will also need to be removed.

What can you expect after Maxillectomy?

The recovery process after maxillectomy involves physical therapy or speech and swallowing therapy.

The recovery course following a maxillectomy will depend on the extent of the surgery and reconstruction,

A follow up with us should be arranged in a week after the surgery to remove any sutures and packing.