Awareness and attitude of maxillofacial surgeons in India towards prosthetic rehabilitation after ablative jaw surgery

Abstract

Purpose: The study investigated the awareness and attitude of maxillofacial surgeons towards prosthetic rehabilitation after ablative jaw surgery. 
Materials and Methods: A questionnaire-based survey using google forms was designed to assess the awareness and attitude of maxillofacial surgeons. The questionnaire comprising of 23 closed- ended and multiple-choice questions. A total of 150 forms were sent to maxillofacial surgeons through e-mail.
Results: Upon analyzing 103 responses it was observed that in the case of maxillectomy defects, the size of the lesion was designated as the most common factor (87%) for deciding between surgical reconstruction or prosthetic rehabilitation. 89% of respondents agreed that presurgical consultation with a maxillofacial prosthodontist could improve the rehabilitation success rate. The most common modality used for the reconstruction of mandibulectomy defects is vascularized bone grafts (32 %), reconstruction plate (30 %), and locoregional flaps for reconstruction by 20% of surgeons. Speech (64.1%) and nasal regurgitation (62%) were the two most important functions that the patient demanded to be corrected after maxillectomy whereas after mandibulectomy masticatory difficulties faced by the patient were the primary reason for seeking the prosthesis as suggested by 84% of respondents. 
Conclusion: The findings of this study show lack of awareness among surgeons regarding prosthetic rehabilitation of the post jaw resection patients. Ablative tumors of jaws necessitate amultidisciplinary team approach due to their effects on the functional and esthetic aspects of the patients involved. The response also emphasizes the need for a maxillofacial prosthodontist in the complete rehabilitation of the patients. (Int J Maxillofac Prosthetics 2023;6:8-15)