I'm new to this. I am my husband's caregiver. November 2007, my husband had surgery for SCC, right mandibular retromolar trigone resection with free flap reconstruction. He is diabetic with excellent control of glucose (A1C 6). One week later, free flap became necrotic and had to be redone. PEG tube Jan 08 then six weeks radiation ending in March.

Post radiation infection with surgery to open and drain. Then HBOT (40 dives). PET--July, Oct., Dec. 08, and July 09 clear.

The first PET showed a loose screw in the center of the plate on his jaw and was removed in the surgeon's office. That hole never healed over and oozed junk for months.

Last April, the lower front edge of the plate broke through his skin near his chin and another screw came out. Since then, the skin has receded and one third of the plate is exposed. We found out today that he had fractured his jaw right where the first screw was!

He will be having jaw reconstruction in November using his fibula and skin graft from (R)leg. We are hopeful that this will correct a number of issues. ie jaw alignment, bite, mobility, vascularity and of course appearance.

So, has anyone out there been through this? The PS estimates 6 to 10 hours for the procedure and 6 days in hospital.

Anita