​Hello - my name is Cathleen. I'm a 49 year old female and I was diagnosed with a malignant Adenoid cystic carcinoma on my hard palate in July of 2016. I underwent surgery to remove the tumor and reconstruction surgery (maxillectomy with reconstruction radial free forearm
tissue transfer flap.) The surgery and recovery went well. Some infections to my forearm flap but it cleared up. A month later I started RT and that nearly killed me. Along the way it was determined that I had an oronasal fistula. An
opening between my hard palate and nasal cavity where the tissue did not heal properly. The result of this fistula has been food and liquid entering my nasal cavity and creating a constant state of infection, chronic sinusitis, daily
liquid leakage from my nose, headaches, and decrease in my hearing.
I have lived with this since my initial surgery in 2016. Later in 2017 my surgeons attempted to close the
fistula with surgery but that failed. I have spent months seeing a prothodontist who created an oral opturator to block and eventually plug the fistula but to date none of these attempts has stopped the infections, leakage, etc.
I'm wondering how many else there are out with similar issues. And what if any comfort / solutions
have you found to ease these issues. I'm currently considering a 3rd surgery called a buccal fat pad reconstruction.
I'm happy to hear any and all comments / suggestions.
Thank you.