Marginal resection of the mandible in oral cancer.

Preservation of mandible in selected cases of oral cancer provides good quality of life following surgery. The present paper based on 37 cases discusses the indications, surgical techniques and results of marginal resection of mandible. It was feasible to carry out conservation surgery even in advanced lesions (31 of 37 had stage III and IV lesion). It could be carried out in lesions close to or those clinically seem to involve the bone provided there was negative radiology. Marginal mandibulectomy could be combined with mandibulotomy in selected cases to achieve additional soft tissue clearance and better exposure. Twenty two (59%) patients were surviving disease free after such surgery for follow ups ranging 2-5 years.