Excision of selected intraoral cancers by use of sagittal inner table mandibulectomy.

The application of oral surgery osteotomy techniques, which are used in orthognathic surgery, to excision of squamous cell carcinomas in various oral cavity locations is described and illustrated in eight cases. These methods allow the full height of the inner table of the mandible to be removed as a margin for tumors which abut the lingual mucoperiosteum without radiologic evidence of bone erosion, while jaw continuity via the intact outer cortex is maintained. These techniques can also be used for marginal mandibulectomy and horizontal maxillectomy. Discussion includes criteria for selection of cases appropriate for such conservation surgery with respect to oncologic considerations, as well as complications encountered and their prevention.