Maxillectomy—to reconstruct or obturate? Results of a UK survey of oral and maxillofacial surgeons

Post-maxillectomy defects may be restored either by surgical reconstruction or by protheses and there is continuing controversy about the most appropriate method of rehabilitation in any particular case. A questionnaire was designed to assess the current practices of oral and maxillofacial surgeons in the UK after resection of the maxilla for malignant disease. Maxillectomies were carried out by 83% of surgeons; most surgeons do 1–5 cases a year; 38% of surgeons do reconstruct surgically, but only in 10% of cases. Only 65% of surgeons have access to the services of a restorative dentist; this did influence 19% of surgeonsʹ decision about whether to reconstruct surgically or restore by prosthetic means