Hi All
Is there any other surgery besides a fibula free flap for a new mandible? I need an entire lower jaw. I am trying to research new procedures and have not been successful. My MD called it a Morbid Elective surgery with more risks than its worth. So here I sit waiting for my jaw to fracture. Im 22 years CANCER FREE but the effects from the radiation are horrific. (Constant jaw abscesses and a facial fistula)
If anyone has any info that could direct me, it would be greatly appreciated!
Maria

Maria, Ive had this done myself and know how hard it is when your mouth doesnt work how you think it should. Its a huge surgery filled with so many things that could possibly go wrong. There are several versions of doing the mandibulectomy but this is such a major surgery with so many individual differences its not easy to know what would be the best choice. Some do the fibula, some others will opt to use a cadaver jawbone, some do a titanium plate designed for each individual. The best thing I can suggest is to seek out some of the top surgeons for second and if necessary third opinions. Long time survivors sometimes have late effects show up where they need different treatment to address their long term survivors issues. Since a mandibulectomy is so complex it really is vitally important you find and use someone highly skilled. Those kinds of specialists could be located a bit further than you would like to travel but in the long run distance isnt a huge part of getting the top doctors who you know will do everything the correct way so the result is a once and done surgery instead of having problematic complications with a lessor skilled doc.

I wish you the very best with this!!! Hope it all works out like you want it to.

Hi Maria, My husband had a scapula free flap performed in August 2020 for mandible reconstruction. The incision was surprisingly from his axilla to his belt line but healed well and immediate exercises helped with resuming full function of his arm and shoulder. Hope that helps.