Maxillectomy Surgery

Maxillectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the maxillary bone. This bone forms the upper part of the jaw and the side of the nose.

Types of Maxillectomy

Maxillectomy can be total or partial. Depending on which part of the maxilla is removed, there are different types of maxillectomy. The kinds of maxillectomy are:

Medial maxillectomy: In this maxillectomy, a part of the maxilla next to the nose is removed. This may be performed endoscopically or by making an incision on the face.

Infrastructure maxillectomy: In infrastructure maxillectomy, the hard palate (roof of the mouth), the lower part of the maxilla, and some teeth are removed. After this maxillectomy, reconstructive surgery or an obturator may be needed.

Suprastructure maxillectomy: In this procedure, the upper part of the maxilla with the orbital floor (bone below the eye) is removed. In a few cases, the orbit may also be removed. Reconstructive surgery is essential if the eye is removed after the eye removal.

Subtotal maxillectomy: Subtotal maxillectomy involves a variation in which a specific portion of the maxilla is removed. Reconstruction may be needed depending on the size and location of the tumour.

Total maxillectomy: In total maxillectomy, the entire maxilla from one side along with the hard palate and orbital floor (bone below the eye) is removed. Reconstruction is needed in these cases.