Re-establishment of quality of life and dietary habits after resection of a carcinomatous lesion: A case report

Abstract

Background: Defects can be a congenital, developmental, or acquired one. Trauma or neoplasms, including malignant tumors of the maxilla treated with a maxillectomy, are frequent causes of acquired disfigurement of the orofacial region. Obturators fitted after a maxillectomy affect mastication, deglutition, phonation, and esthetic appearance, leading to loss of confidence post-surgery. Rehabilitation using a surgical obturator can restore confidence of patients particularly. Case Report: This case report describes a patient with a stage III adenocarcinoma in the center of the posterior aspect of the maxilla, which was classified as Aramony’s class III type of acquired palatal defect, in which a surgical obturator was placed immediately after surgery. Conclusion: The surgical obturator restored the patient’s confidence and quality of life (QoL) immediately after surgery of the palate by closing the defect that aids in phonetics and mastication and by easy maintenance.

Keywords

• obturator
• palatal defect
• pmma resin
• surgical obturator