Commando Surgery

Overview-

Oral malignancies are a prevalent kind of cancer that develops as a result of long-term cigarette use. Commando Surgery (Combined Mandibulectomy and Neck Dissection Surgery): Lip tumours, the larynx, and the hard and soft palate are all cancers of the oral cavity.

Chemotherapy, radiation treatment, and surgery are used to treat oral malignancies. In India, commando surgery is the surgical therapy of choice for tongue, cheek, and oral cavity malignancies. The tongue and mandibles are removed during surgery. The procedure also includes a block dissection of the neck lymph nodes.

Oral tumours can be successfully treated using commando surgery. However, it also entails the removal of a portion of the face bone and tissues, resulting in body image issues. Medipulse hospital in Jodhpur is the best commando surgery hospital, pioneering not only oral and maxillo-facial procedures but also reconstructive treatments that enable patients to transform how they look at themselves.

Why it’s done-

To combat illness, the lymph system transports white blood cells throughout the body. Cancer cells from the mouth or throat can migrate through the lymphatic system and become stuck in lymph nodes. The lymph nodes are removed in order to prevent cancer from spreading to other regions of the body and to determine whether additional therapy is required.

This surgery may be recommended by your doctor if:

• You've been diagnosed with cancer of the mouth, tongue, thyroid gland, or other parts of the throat or neck.

• Lymph nodes have been affected by cancer.

• The cancer might spread to other bodily parts.

Risk and complications -

• In roughly one percent of instances, bleeding may occur. The substantial vasularity of the organs implicated is to blame for this.

• Infection is possible, even if the patient is given antibiotics after surgery.

• Given the scope of the treatment, pain is unavoidable. Pain relievers, primarily morphine derivatives, are administered.

• Fistula is another frequent issue that may be treated with basic drugs and washing. Surgery is only used in exceptional cases.

• The patient may have numbness and weakness as a result of the enlarged tissue pressing on the nerves. This is usually temporary, but it can sometimes be a lifelong deformity.

• Due to a neuroma, the patient may have hypersensitivity of the skin surrounding the operation site on occasion. The neuroma can be surgically removed after years of development.

• Numbness of the skin and ears on the procedure side, which may be persistent

• Nerve damage to the cheeks, lips, and tongue

• Lifting difficulty in the shoulders and arms

• Neck movement is limited

• On the surgical side, shoulder drooping

• Issues with speech or swallowing

• Face droopy

DO’s and Don’ts-

Do's-

1. Take a daily shower and clean the incision and drain sites. Ivory soap is recommended. Allow the stream of water to pass over the incision and drain sites. Keep the incisions exposed. The drain sites where the chest tubes used to be may drain for many days, necessitating a Band-Aid. Dress comfortably and cleanly. Cotton clothing is particularly good, especially if drainage is still an issue.

2. Take as many walks as you feel comfortable with. When you're out of breath, take a break, and then resume. You may not see a daily improvement, but over the course of a week, you should notice an increase in your walking distance. Fatigue and exhaustion are to be expected. It is very natural for you to require a snooze in the morning or afternoon. During the daylight hours, avoid lying down for lengthy periods of time.

3. If you're taking pain medication, especially opioids, a stool softener or laxative should be considered. These drugs have a propensity to make people constipated, which can lead to a vicious cycle of constipation, nausea, and increased pain.

4. Take your pain relievers as directed. You should take your drugs on a regular schedule at first, just as recommended. Typically, you will be given two forms of pain medicine, one of which must be taken continuously to maintain a consistent degree of analgesia (pain relief). The other medicine is for "breakthrough" pain, often known as peaks, and is used as needed based on your daily activities.

Remember that a good night's sleep is priceless and makes the following day a breeze. As a result, taking a pain reliever before going to bed is a realistic strategy.

Don'ts-

1. If you used to smoke, don't start again. Please get your environment—your apartment or house—cleaned if there are residual smoke and tobacco odors on your drapes, bedding, and furniture that might make you want to smoke again. The vast majority of persons in the United States who get lung cancer do so as a result of smoking. Please call us if you are having trouble quitting smoking or if you live with smokers in your family or residence. We can guide you through a smoking cessation program.

2. For the next 4-6 weeks, don't lift anything heavier than 10 pounds. Remember that your recuperation will take 10-12 weeks in total.

3. Do not drive until your surgeon gives you permission. You should be able to drive locally after approximately 3 weeks.

Insurance Covered – Following insurances are covered for Commando Surgery:

The average length of stay - entails 7 to 8 days in hospital & 8-10 weeks to fully recover. 

Doctors who perform Commando procedure :