ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines the principles of bony resection of cancer involving the mandible or the maxilla. It is firmly based on the doctrine of surgical resection planning using information derived from imaging and clinical examination. When planning mandibular resection, one needs to ascertain whether the tumour invades the mandible or not. In most cases without mandibular bone invasion, a marginal mandibulectomy is the approach of choice, if that is dictated by the tumour resection planning. Searching for the ‘holy grail’ of the ideal preoperative imaging modality to assess mandibular invasion has led to several conflicting publications. The endpoints of any mandibular resection procedure for malignant disease are first and foremost an R0 resection, followed by trying to reduce morbidity and achieve the best possible functional and cosmetic outcome. The two main approaches for mandibular resection are discussed in detail.
