[Mandibulotomy for cancer of the oral cavity and oropharynx: functional and carcinologic outcome in 107 cases].

We report a series of 107 patients who underwent mandibulotomy at the Gustave-Roussy Institute, France for cancer of the oral cavity and orophaynx between 1998 and 1996. The most common tumor site was the base of the tongue. Most cases were stage T2 or T3. Postoperative radiotherapy was employed except in those who had previous irradiation, either for the same tumor (12 cases) or another cancer (16 cases). The different types of mandibulotomies and osteosynthesis methods were analyzed in relation to postoperative course and functional and oncological outcome at mean follow-up of 6 years. Osteitis was the most frequent complication (14%) requiring hemimandibulectomy in 5 cases. Complications occurred particularly when osteosynthesis was in the pre-or postoperative irradiation field. Osteosynthesis was definitive in 79.4% with good functional results in 76.5%. Previous radiotherapy or use of flaps for closure gave poor function results. We emphasize the advantages of anterolateral mandibulotomy and titanium plates. The local control rate was 81.5% at 6 months and overall survival rat was 51.5% at 5 years with no significant impact of tumor site on survival.