Hello Mars,

I understand your fears and concerns. In 2008 I had similar surgery to what your doctors describe. My experience was complicated by the extent of damage from the osteoradionecrosis (ORN). Radiotherapy killed about � of my lower mandible, and the tongue flap that was reconstructed after the tumor was removed in 2007. ORN wasn�t limited to the surface, or a small portion of bone for me. My mandible bone died from top to bottom. The extent of dead bone was the length of 11 teeth. Blood flow loss was spreading further through the bone. They removed jaw bone, 11 teeth, gums and the original tongue flap. I depended on a PEG tube for 3 � years.

The original tongue flap + floor of my mouth flap was reconstructed with tissue from my thigh. The second flap was taken from my hip area, as was bone to reconstruct my jaw. The second bilateral neck dissection was made over the first. I do not have a mobile tongue. The flap serves two functions. It is permanently sewn down to become the floor of my mouth + tongue flap. Since 2008 a prosthodondist and maxillofacial oral surgeon inserted implants and a titanium platform to create lower gums. A denture was designed to clip onto the titanium platform. The PEG was removed. I returned to work part time. My speech is good considering most of my oral cavity is artificial. Where the nerve was removed from my neck, my shoulder occasionally tightens, however my mobility is good. I regularly exercise my neck and lower face.

Further surgery on radiated tissue along with rehabilitation after a mandiblectomy can be tough, but you will work through issues step by step.

Please don�t hesitate to send a PM (personal message) if you have any questions.

Karen