When oral cancer has spread to involve the jaw bone and the neck, a composite resection removes the tumour, the affected segment of jaw and the neck lymph nodes together in one operation — followed by reconstruction to restore form, the bite and function.
Discovering that an oral cancer has advanced can feel overwhelming. When a tumour grows near or into the jaw bone, standard localized treatments are no longer sufficient. In these complex cases, a highly coordinated surgical approach is required to completely remove the disease.
A composite resection, historically known as a commando operation, is a comprehensive oral cancer surgery designed for advanced disease. It involves removing the primary tumour, a segment of the jaw bone, and the lymph nodes in the neck (a neck dissection). This triple-action approach ensures that all cancerous cells in the immediate region are addressed in a single, planned surgery.
At Mouth Cancer Surgeons, Dr. Pradeep S. and Dr. Kalpa Pandya work together to evaluate your condition, design a personalized surgical plan, and guide you through every stage of treatment and recovery.
What is Composite Resection Surgery in Chennai?
A composite resection is indicated when advanced oral cancer has invaded the mandible (lower jaw bone) or surrounding deep tissues. The procedure is highly structured and focuses on complete oncological clearance while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible.
The procedure consists of three main surgical components performed during a single operation:
Tumour Removal: The primary oral cancer tumour is excised with wide, safe margins.
Mandibular Resection: The involved segment of the lower jaw bone is carefully removed to ensure no cancer cells remain in the bone.
Neck Dissection: Lymph nodes in the neck are removed to prevent or treat the spread of cancer through the lymphatic system.
This comprehensive approach is essential for long-term regional control of advanced head and neck malignancies.
Reconstruction After Advanced Oral Cancer Surgery
Removing a portion of the jaw and surrounding tissues affects essential functions like swallowing, speaking, and chewing. Therefore, reconstruction — often a free flap reconstruction or a PMMC flap — is a vital part of the treatment plan. Our goal is to restore both your facial appearance and oral function.
To achieve optimal results, we utilize advanced reconstructive techniques customized to each patient's specific anatomical needs:
Microvascular Free-Flap Reconstruction: This advanced technique transfers tissue, bone, or skin from another part of the body, such as the fibula (leg bone), to rebuild the jaw. This specialized step is coordinated with the wider surgical team at our affiliated Apollo / partner hospital.
Pectoralis Major Myocutaneous (PMMC) Flap: A reliable chest tissue transfer used when local tissue coverage is required to close the defect.
Open Reduction and Internal Fixation (ORIF): The use of biocompatible titanium plates and screws to secure the reconstructed bone segments firmly in place.
What to Expect During Recovery and Rehabilitation
Healing from a composite resection is a gradual process that requires patience and dedicated supportive care. In the immediate postoperative period, you will be closely monitored by our team to manage pain, ensure proper wound healing, and maintain nutrition.
Your recovery pathway will involve several specialized phases:
Airway Protection: A temporary tracheostomy (a small opening in the windpipe) may be placed to ensure safe breathing while facial swelling subsides.
Nutritional Support: A temporary feeding tube is used initially to allow the oral tissues to heal without irritation from food.
Speech and Swallowing Therapy: Dedicated rehabilitation exercises help you adapt to your reconstructed oral structure and regain swallowing function.
Physical Therapy: Gentle neck and shoulder exercises are introduced early to maintain mobility after the neck dissection.
Dual-Surgeon Care for Advanced Mouth Cancer Surgery Chennai
Complex head and neck surgeries demand exceptional precision and collaborative planning. At Mouth Cancer Surgeons, you benefit from the combined expertise of two highly trained specialists who personally manage your care from your first consultation through to long-term follow-up.
Dr. Pradeep S., an expert in oral & maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) with a super-specialty focus on head and neck surgical oncology, collaborates directly with Dr. Kalpa Pandya, who brings over a decade of experience in OMFS, oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMD) like oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF), and complex facial rehabilitation including jaw joint disorders of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). This dual-surgeon approach ensures that oncological safety and reconstructive excellence are balanced perfectly.
We understand that traveling for cancer care can be stressful. Our practice warmly welcomes patients who travel to us from across Tamil Nadu and the wider South India region. Whether you are seeking a primary treatment plan or an outstation second opinion, our team is committed to providing seamless, compassionate, and highly coordinated care.
What to expect
1Imaging & surgical planning
2Tumour + mandible segment resection
3Neck dissection
4Reconstruction (flap)
5Recovery & rehabilitation
Microvascular free-flap reconstruction for composite defects is coordinated with the wider surgical team at our affiliated Apollo / partner hospital.
Composite resection — watch & learn
Oral Cancer Staging: What You Need to Know & Why It's Crucial
An explainer on how oral cancer is staged and why accurate staging is crucial for planning treatment.
Oral Cancer Treatment Guide: Diagnosis, Surgery, Recovery — Dr. Pradeep S.
Dr. Pradeep S. walks through the full oral cancer journey — diagnosis, surgery and recovery — in this Apollo 24|7 feature.
Does Mouth Cancer Spread Due to Biopsy?
Part of the myth-busting series — addressing the fear that a biopsy spreads mouth cancer.
What is a composite resection or commando operation?
A composite resection is a major surgical procedure used for advanced oral cancer. It involves removing the primary oral tumour, a segment of the jaw bone, and the lymph nodes in the neck in a single operation to ensure complete removal of the cancer.
How much does composite resection surgery cost in Chennai?
The cost of composite resection surgery in Chennai depends on several factors, including the extent of the tumour, the type of reconstruction required, and the hospital stay. We work closely with our partner hospitals to provide detailed estimates and assist with insurance pre-authorizations.
What is the recovery time after a commando operation?
Initial hospital recovery typically takes two to three weeks, during which swelling subsides and swallowing function is monitored. Full physical and functional recovery, including speech and swallowing rehabilitation, usually takes several months of dedicated therapy.
How soon can I get an appointment with your surgeons in Chennai?
We prioritize urgent evaluations for suspected or confirmed oral cancer. You can typically secure an appointment with Dr. Pradeep S. or Dr. Kalpa Pandya within 24 to 48 hours. Outstation patients seeking second opinions can also arrange remote consultations.
How is the jaw rebuilt after a composite resection?
The jaw is reconstructed using advanced tissue transfer techniques. This often involves microvascular free-flap reconstruction, where bone and skin from the leg are transferred to the jaw, a procedure coordinated with the wider surgical team at our affiliated Apollo / partner hospital.
Will I be able to eat normally after advanced oral cancer surgery?
Initially, you will receive nutrition through a temporary feeding tube to allow the surgical sites to heal. As healing progresses, our speech and swallowing therapists will guide you through a phased transition from liquids to soft foods, and eventually back to a more normal diet.
Why do two oral & maxillofacial surgeons perform this surgery?
Advanced mouth cancer surgery requires simultaneous focus on complete cancer removal and complex facial reconstruction. Having both Dr. Pradeep S. and Dr. Kalpa Pandya collaborate ensures double the expertise, shorter operative times, and highly coordinated surgical care.
Composite resection in Chennai
Our practice serves patients across Chennai, with Dr. Pradeep S. consulting at Apollo Main Hospital on Greams Road and Dr. Kalpa Pandya consulting at Sri Ramachandra Medical Centre in Porur. We coordinate complex surgical care across these major medical hubs.
