Mandibulectomy for Cancers of Retromolar Trigone, Inferior Alveolus and Mandible
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2025-10-31
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Open Access Atlas of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Operative Surgery
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University of Cape Town
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Abstract
Squamous cell cancers (SCC) of the inferior alveolus and retromolar trigone (RMT) are treated with primary surgery. Postoperative (chemo)radiation therapy is given for advanced T stages, perineural invasion, close or involved margins, bone involvement, multiple cervical nodes or extranodal extension. Because of the proximity of these cancers to the bone, patients generally need marginal, segmental, or hemimandibulectomy to achieve clear resection margins. consider how best to preserve oral function such as speech, mastication, oral transport and swallowing. Resecting mandible beyond the midline for an alveolar SCC, is only advisable if one reconstructs the anterior mandibular arch a to avoid an Andy Gump deformity with loss of oral competence, drooling, and a poor cosmetic result and reattaches the suprahyoid muscles (digastric, geniohyoid, mylohyoid, genioglossus).
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Reference:
Fagan, J. 2025. Mandibulectomy for Cancers of Retromolar Trigone, Inferior Alveolus and Mandible. In Open Access Atlas of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Operative Surgery. J. Fagan, Ed.Cape Town, South Africa: University of Cape Town. 22. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/43494 .