Jaipur, XX January 2023:Doctors of Fortis Escorts Jaipur set a new clinical milestone by successfully performing  surgery on a 98-year-old female patient who was suffering from Jaw cancer, which is probably the first case of such a major surgery in the state OF RAJASTHAN, due to the age of the patient. Dr. Mohan Kulhari, Department of ENT and Head Neck Surgery, Fortis Escorts Hospital, Jaipur operated the patient who had come to the hospital complaining of mouth sores. After further investigations, it was discovered that the patient had gum cancer along with the cancer of the lower jaw.

An intensive surgery, known as Commando(Combined Mandibulectomies and Neck Dissection Operation) was performed to successfully treat the patient.   This procedure requires substantial amount of surgical reconstruction of the facial structures and is used mainly for cancers affecting the head and neck. It is a difficult and complex surgery, that requires an experienced medical team to manage the pre-operative and post-operative care.

Dr. Mohan Kulhari, Department of ENT and Head Neck Surgery, Fortis Escorts Hospital, Jaipur said, “The surgery was done via the commando technique, where first the cancerous jaw was removed and also the possible cancerous lumps in the neck were removed by dissecting the neck. The cancerous part of the jaw was then reconstructed with the help of a flap so that the facial appearance of the patient does not change.”

Speaking about the challenges in the surgery, Dr. Baljeet Singh Khanduja, Consultant, ENT, Fortis Escorts Hospital, Jaipur said, “This procedure was quite challenging for us considering the patient's age, weak body and high blood pressure. Owing to the best efforts by the medical team, the surgery was conducted smoothly and now the patient is able to eat and drink comfortably, is completely healthy and satisfied post the surgery. Early diagnosis plays a crucial role in treating cancers as was in this particular case. since the cancer was in its initial stage, the treatment was possible as it was done immediately post cancer was diagnosed.” Dr. Sandipan Mukul, Director, Plastic Surgery, Dr. Rajeev Lochan Tiwari, Director and Dr. Jyotsna Bhargava, Additional Director, Department of Anaesthesia, assisted in this operation.

Mr. Neerav Bansal, Zonal Director, Fortis Escorts Hospital Jaipur said, “I congratulate the teamof doctorson achieving yet another clinical milestone. This was a complex case owing to the extreme age of the patient and associated co-morbidities. However, timely diagnosis and correct line of treatment saved the patient’s life.”