BILATERAL ROSTRAL MAXILLECTOMY

Bilateral rostral maxillectomy is a surgical procedure involving removal of the maxilla rostral to the second premolar tooth. This technique is indicated for benign oral tumors, such as acanthomatous ameloblastoma and either small or low-grade malignant tumors, which have crossed the midline.

The most common complications following biilateral rostral maxillectomy include cosmetic appearance and wound dehiscence (7%-33% overall). Cosmetically, the nose droops downwards because of loss of ventral support from the incisive and maxillary bones. While this is a cosmetic defect and rarely causes functional problems, such as respiratory difficulties; it can be corrected with a cosmetic cantilever nasal lift surgery. Functionally, dogs and cats do well following bilateral caudal maxillectomy with the vast majority of animals returning to voluntary eating within 1-3 days of surgery. In a 1997 survey of owner satisfaction, 85% of owners were satisfied with the functional and cosmetic outcomes following all types of maxillectomies, including bilateral rostral maxillectomy.