SURGICAL MANAGEMENT OF ORAL CANCER WITH PRIMARY RECONSTRUCTION

Abstract

Introduction: Primary tumours of oral cavity may be derived from the mucosa, salivary glands,bone or dental tissues. Over 90% of tumours of the oral cavity are squamous cell carcinomas.1,9 Reconstructive surgery following resection for oral cancer is considered when there is functional or aesthetic loss of structures in the oral cavity. Although primary closure can be achieved within oral cavity,the larger the defect,the more is the functional compromise.The majority of soft tissue repair within the oral cavity require three – dimensional reconstruction with soft pliable skin often without significant bulk. Aims : To study the proportion of oral cancer with surgical management with primary flap reconstruction.To analyse the different surgical modalities of treatment and its outcome.Materials And Methods: This study was carried out in a tertiary care hospital in Central India, from March 2020 to August 2021. Out of 136 patients diagnosed with oral cancer, 61 (44.85%) were found to be operable. 75 (55.15%) patients were inoperable, unfit or not willing for surgery.They were assessed,evaluated and managed accordingly. Results:Oral cancer was most commonly noted in fourth decade.The most involved site was alveobuccal complex.Flap reconstruction was required in 62.3% (38 out of 61) of the patients.Out of 38 patients,Pectoralis major musculocutaneous flap only was the most common flap reconstruction accounting for 19 out of 38 patients and in combination with Deltopectoral flap in 3 patients.Conclusion: Though free flap reconstruction has emerged as a good option in primary reconstruction with increased functional repair, strict post operative monitoring was needed as complications were more frequently encountered in those cases.