ANTERIOR MANDIBULOTOMY FOR ORAL AND OROPHARYNGEAL TUMORS

In the last six years, anterior mandibulotomy was used to approach tum ours of the oropharynx and oral cavity in 39 cases. Twenty-six of thes e had primary lesions in the anterior two-thirds of the tongue. Eight cases had lesions in the base tongue, three in the cheek, and two in t he tonsil. Twenty-six cases had T3 tumours, nine had T2 lesions, and f our had T4 tumours. Twenty-five patients received post-operative radio therapy. In 16 cases the mandibulotomy was combined with a marginal ma ndibulectomy. In 23 cases reconstruction was carried out using a pecto ralis major myocutaneous flap. Adequate margins on histopathology obta ined in all but eight patients. Bone-related complications occurred in only three patients, all of whom were previously irradiated. Thus the anterior mandibulotomy provides excellent exposure for oral and oroph aryngeal tumours, with low complication rate, and avoidance of segment al mandibulectomy.