Jaw discomfort in area of Mandibulectomy

vetorama
vetorama Member Posts: 16
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Having a lot of jaw discomfort in area of mandibulectomy. The new mandible/flap feels very swollen. It is not mucositis. I'm on Rad #13, chemo # 4.

Just wondering if others experienced this,

Thanks

Comments

  • George_Baltimore
    George_Baltimore Member Posts: 303
    #2
    When they did your operation
    Did they replace the mandible with a part of one of your fibulas? Did they put in a titanium plate or is the mandible just swinging on one hinge?
  • vetorama
    vetorama Member Posts: 16
    #3
    George_Baltimore said:

    When they did your operation
    Did they replace the mandible with a part of one of your fibulas? Did they put in a titanium plate or is the mandible just swinging on one hinge?

    Mandible

    I have a titanium plate and fibula flap.

  • George_Baltimore
    George_Baltimore Member Posts: 303
    #4
    vetorama said:

    Mandible

    I have a titanium plate and fibula flap.

    After my bone graft failed

    for lack of blood supply, they had to go back in and remove the bone.  They thought that they would be able to leave the titanium plate in but about a month and a half later, a screw was working its way out.  They ended going back in and taking the plate out.  When the screw was working its way out, there was alot of pinpoint pain where the screw was.  You could actually feel it from the outside of my skin.  The swelling (lymphedema), for me, took a loooonnnngggg time to go down and is still not completely gone.  Have you said anything to your docs yet?

  • hwt
    hwt Member Posts: 2,328 Member
    #5
    George_Baltimore said:

    After my bone graft failed

    for lack of blood supply, they had to go back in and remove the bone.  They thought that they would be able to leave the titanium plate in but about a month and a half later, a screw was working its way out.  They ended going back in and taking the plate out.  When the screw was working its way out, there was alot of pinpoint pain where the screw was.  You could actually feel it from the outside of my skin.  The swelling (lymphedema), for me, took a loooonnnngggg time to go down and is still not completely gone.  Have you said anything to your docs yet?

    Takes time

    My surgery was 01/31/12. For months I felt like I had a bag of nickels hanging on my jaw and some days a bag of quarters. That sensation no longer exists for me. I don't recall feeling real pain but rather a constant discomfort. At a year, things continue to improve. Up until a month or so ago, the inside of my mouth swelled when I ate but subsided about 15 minutes after I finished eating. I too had lymphedema but neck massage therapy helped.

    Candi 

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