In a significant development, a 36-year-old woman has undergone a successful maxillary bone cancer surgery at Max Super Speciality Hospital (MSSH), Dehradun. Her face has also been reconstructed during surgery.
The woman approached MSSH, Dehradun, after she discovered suffering from Maxillary Bone Cancer (Chondrosarcoma) in November, last year and with persuasion from her family and guidance from her doctors at MSSH, Sangeeta (name changed) had successfully recovered from the disease. The patient approached Dr Akash N Gaind, Consultant-Surgical Oncology at MSSH, Dehradun, who diagnosed her with this rare condition.
After discussing at the hospital’s Tumor Board, the further management plan was formulated. This included a multidisciplinary approach with the help of a team of medical oncologist, pathologist, radiologist and plastic surgeon. While addressing the mediapersons in a Press conference held at MSSH, Dehradun, Dr Gaind said that Sangeeta underwent successful surgery where complete cheek bone (maxilla) along with the floor of the orbit, palate, upper teeth and a part of the lower jaw (mandible) was removed on January 29.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Vipin Barthwal, Plastic, Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgeon at MSSH, Dehradun, further explained that after removal of the cheek bone and partial excision of the jaw, there was a big defect which had to be reconstructed. Using bone from the hip and a prosthetic implant, we recreated the cheek bone. The soft tissue reconstruction was done through a skin flap taken from the patient’s thigh which was attached with the blood vessels of the neck for maintaining blood supply. This is called free microvascular flap surgery.
It was indeed a challenging surgery which required team effort. With thorough pre-operative planning, we were able to successfully conduct the surgery, asserted Dr Barthwal. He further informed these kinds of complex cancer surgeries were not available in this region earlier. With such reconstructive surgeries being available at Max Hospital, residents of Dehradun and its neighbouring cities no longer need to travel outside for such tertiary level of medical care, said Dr Barthwal adding the complex head and neck surgery could now be performed in our state according to world standards.