When oral cancer involves the lower jaw, mandibulectomy removes the affected bone — marginal (rim) or segmental — followed by reconstruction with a plate or free flap to restore jaw continuity and function.
Has a Diagnosis of Jaw Cancer Left You Worried About Surgery?
Discovering that you or a loved one needs lower jaw cancer surgery can feel overwhelming. You may have questions about how it will affect your appearance, your ability to speak, and how you will eat.
A mandibulectomy, or jaw bone removal, is a precise surgical procedure performed to remove cancer that has spread to or originated in the lower jaw bone (mandible). Conditions like oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) or oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMD) can sometimes precede these changes, but when cancer invades the bone, direct surgical removal is necessary.
As specialists in oral & maxillofacial surgery (OMFS), Dr. Pradeep S. and Dr. Kalpa Pandya are here to guide you through every step of this treatment as part of complete oral cancer surgery — with clarity, empathy, and advanced surgical expertise.
Understanding Your Options: Marginal vs Segmental Mandibulectomy
Depending on how deeply the tumor has invaded the bone, your surgeon will recommend one of two primary approaches to preserve as much function and structure as possible.
Marginal Mandibulectomy: The surgeon removes only the upper rim or a portion of the jaw bone, keeping the overall continuity of the jaw intact so that reconstruction is less complex.
Segmental Mandibulectomy: The surgeon removes an entire segment of the jaw bone because the cancer has penetrated deeply. This requires subsequent reconstruction to rebuild the jaw.
The choice of procedure is guided by international oncology protocols to ensure complete removal of the disease while planning for the best possible functional outcome.
What Happens During Lower Jaw Cancer Surgery?
The procedure is performed under general anesthesia and is carefully planned using advanced imaging to map out the exact boundaries of the tumor.
Surgical Planning: We use high-resolution scans to determine the precise margins of bone that need to be removed.
Tumor Removal: Dr. Pradeep S. and Dr. Kalpa Pandya carefully excise the affected bone and surrounding soft tissues to ensure clear margins.
Jaw Stabilization: If a segment of bone is removed, the remaining jaw is stabilized using titanium plates, a process related to open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF).
Microvascular Reconstruction: For complex cases requiring a bone graft or free flap, the procedure is coordinated with the wider surgical team at our affiliated Apollo / partner hospital.
Rebuilding Form and Function: Jaw Reconstruction Chennai
Restoring your facial appearance, speech, and swallowing function is a vital part of your recovery. Reconstruction is planned simultaneously with the bone removal.
Pectoralis Major Myocutaneous (PMMC) Flap: A soft tissue PMMC flap used to reconstruct defects in the mouth when bone reconstruction is not immediately required.
Fibula Free Flap: A technique where a small portion of the leg bone (fibula) is used to reconstruct the lower jaw, allowing for future dental implants.
Dental Rehabilitation: Once the bone has healed, we plan for dental implants to restore your ability to chew naturally.
Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Preservation: Whenever possible, we safeguard the joint that connects your jaw to your skull to maintain natural jaw movement.
What to Expect During Recovery and Rehabilitation
Recovery from jaw bone removal is a gradual process that requires specialized supportive care. Your surgical team will monitor you closely during the initial healing phase.
Hospital Stay: Patients typically spend several days in the hospital to monitor the healing of the surgical site and any reconstructed tissue.
Nutritional Support: A temporary feeding tube may be used initially to allow the mouth to heal before you transition back to liquids and soft foods.
Speech and Swallowing Therapy: Dedicated therapists will work with you to help you regain clear speech and safe swallowing patterns.
Long-term Follow-up: Regular visits with Dr. Pradeep S. and Dr. Kalpa Pandya ensure that your healing is on track and any signs of recurrence are caught early.
Consult Our Dedicated Oral Surgeons in Chennai
Choosing the right team for complex jaw surgery is a critical decision. Dr. Pradeep S. and Dr. Kalpa Pandya provide personalized, continuous care from your initial consultation through your entire recovery. When cancer involves the upper jaw instead, the same team performs maxillectomy upper jaw surgery.
We understand that traveling for specialized cancer care can be stressful. Our practice regularly welcomes patients who travel to Chennai from across Tamil Nadu and the wider South India region. Whether you are seeking a primary diagnosis or a comprehensive second opinion, we are committed to providing clear answers and structured, supportive treatment pathways.
What to expect
1Imaging & surgical planning
2Marginal or segmental resection
3Reconstruction plate / free flap
4Dental rehabilitation
Mandibulectomy — 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.
A mandibulectomy is a surgical procedure to remove part or all of the lower jaw bone (mandible). It is typically performed to treat oral cancers that have grown close to or into the jaw bone.
What is the difference between marginal and segmental jaw surgery?
A marginal mandibulectomy removes only a rim of the jaw bone, keeping the jaw's continuity intact. A segmental mandibulectomy removes an entire section of the bone, which requires reconstruction with a plate or bone graft to restore jaw function.
How much does mandibulectomy jaw surgery cost in Chennai?
The cost of a mandibulectomy in Chennai depends on factors like the surgery's complexity, the type of reconstruction needed (such as a free flap), and hospital stay duration. We assist with insurance pre-authorizations and provide transparent cost breakdowns during your consultation.
What is the recovery time after lower jaw cancer surgery?
Initial hospital recovery takes about 7 to 14 days, especially if microvascular reconstruction is performed. Complete healing of the bone and soft tissues, along with speech and swallowing rehabilitation, typically takes 3 to 6 months.
How soon can I get an appointment or second opinion in Chennai?
We prioritize urgent oncology consultations. You can typically secure an appointment or a comprehensive second opinion with Dr. Pradeep S. or Dr. Kalpa Pandya within 24 to 48 hours by contacting our Chennai clinics.
Will I be able to eat normally after jaw bone removal?
Initially, you will receive liquid nutrition, often via a temporary tube. As healing progresses over several weeks, you will transition to soft foods. Full dental rehabilitation, including implants, can eventually help restore normal chewing.
Will my speech change after a mandibulectomy?
Speech may be temporarily affected by swelling and structural changes. With the help of dedicated speech therapy and proper jaw reconstruction, most patients regain clear, functional speech over time.
Who will perform my jaw surgery in Chennai?
Your surgery and ongoing care will be personally led by our two consultant oral & maxillofacial surgeons, Dr. Pradeep S. and Dr. Kalpa Pandya, coordinating with the wider team at our partner hospitals.
Mandibulectomy in Chennai
We offer surgical consultations for lower jaw cancer surgery 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. Our patients receive comprehensive care in these major medical hubs, ensuring easy accessibility from central and western parts of Chennai.
