Maxillectomy--to reconstruct or obturate? Results of a UK survey of oral and maxillofacial surgeons.
Post-maxillectomy defects may be restored either by surgical reconstruction or by prostheses and there is continuing controversy about the most appropriate method of rehabilitation in any particular case. A questionnaire was designed to assess the current practices of oral and maxillofacial surgeons in the UK after resection of the maxilla for malignant disease. Maxillectomies were carried out by 83% of surgeons; most surgeons do 1-5 cases a year; 38% of surgeons do reconstruct surgically, but only in 10% of cases. Only 65% of surgeons have access to the services of a restorative dentist; this did influence 19% of surgeons' decision about whether to reconstruct surgically or restore by prosthetic means.
Ali
A
A
Morriston Hospital NHS Trust, Swansea, UK.
Fardy
M J
MJ
Patton
D W
DW
D006801:Humans; D008437:Maxilla / Q000601:surgery*; D008441:Maxillary Neoplasms / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008447:Maxillofacial Prosthesis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013515:Surgery, Oral / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom