ABSTRACT
Generally, if the size of a lip cancer defect exceeds 30% of the lower lip, a local flap or free flap is recommended. However, defects up to 50% of the lower lip in size have been reconstructed successfully by primary closure without a local flap or free flap. In one case, an 80-year-old male farmer who had smoked for more than 50 years presented with squamous cell carcinoma of the lower lip and underwent mass resection and supraomohyoid neck dissection. The defect accounted for almost 2/3 of the lower lip and was repaired by primary closure with V-shaped resection. Biopsy results confirmed pT2N0cM0 stage II disease with clear margins. In another case, a 68-year-old male also presented with squamous cell carcinoma of the lower lip and underwent mass resection. The defect accounted for about half the size of the lower lip but was repaired by primary closure with V-shaped resection.Both patients experienced no discomfort while eating or speaking and were satisfied with the cosmetic and functional outcomes with no evidence of recurrence. Thus, direct closure can be considered even in large lower lip cancers.
ABSTRACT
Oral and maxillofacial infection is a common complication in patients undergoing chemotherapy. The treatment of oral diseases in such patients differs from that administered to healthy patients. This paper reports a case of acute osteomyelitis of odontogenic origin following a recent chemotherapy session. The patient’s condition was life-threatening because of neutropenic fever and sepsis that developed during the inpatient supportive care. However, the patient showed prompt recovery within 40 days following the use of appropriate antibiotics and routine dressing, without the requirement for surgical treatment, except tooth extraction. As seen in this case, patients undergoing chemotherapy are more susceptible to rapid progression of infections in the oral and maxillofacial areas. Therefore, accurate diagnosis through prompt clinical and radiological examination, identification of the extent of infection, and assessment of the patient’s immune system are crucial for favorable outcomes.It is also necessary to eliminate the source of infection through appropriate administration of antibiotics. In particular, a broad-spectrum antibiotic with anti-pneumococcal activity is essential. Proper antibiotic administration and wound dressing are essential for infection control. Furthermore, close consultation with a hemato-oncologist is necessary for effective infection management based on the professional evaluation of patients’ immune mechanisms.
ABSTRACT
No abstract available.