Post Oral Cancer Surgery: Key Recovery Points and Life Guide

What do patients need to know and pay attention to after completing oral cancer surgery?

Hospital Observation Post-Surgery

If the patient’s surgery requires skin or tissue transplantation, the patient needs to stay in the hospital for several weeks for observation to ensure there is no rejection or infection.

Early Mobilization Post-Surgery

To prevent blood clots, doctors will encourage patients to get out of bed and move as soon as possible after surgery. If unable to get out of bed, patients should try to move their legs as much as possible, which is crucial for recovery. Additionally, to prevent chest infections, patients need to perform deep breathing exercises as taught by the physiotherapist.

Dietary Arrangements Post-Surgery

After oral and throat surgery, patients may not be able to eat normally for some time. Before resuming normal eating, patients will receive intravenous injections to supplement body fluids and nutrients. Some patients may need a nasogastric tube to input high-calorie, high-protein liquids to help maintain energy and speed up recovery. For patients with severe conditions, they may need to rely on a gastric tube for feeding in the future, and the amount to be input daily will be discussed with a nutritionist.

Temporary Tracheostomy Post-Surgery

Surgery on the mouth and throat can sometimes cause swelling of the tissues around the throat, leading to breathing difficulties. Doctors will create a temporary tracheostomy in the lower front of the neck to assist with breathing. Once the swelling subsides, the tracheostomy can be removed. However, for patients who have had their vocal cords removed due to cancer or have undergone a total laryngectomy, the tracheostomy will be permanent.

Temporary Drainage Tubes Post-Surgery

Immediately after the removal of an oral cancer tumor, patients may be unable to get out of bed to use the toilet. Doctors will insert a thin tube into the patient’s bladder to drain urine into a collection bag. Additionally, a thin tube will be connected to the surgical site to drain fluids from the wound to aid in faster healing. These are temporary and can be removed once the wound heals or the patient can get out of bed on their own.

Pain Management Post-Surgery

After oral cancer surgery, patients may feel numbness in the mouth and face. Removal of neck lymph nodes can also cause stiffness in the neck and shoulders. It is normal to feel pain or discomfort in the first few days after surgery, and doctors can prescribe painkillers to help manage the pain.

Recovery of Speech Functions Post-Surgery

Speech functions involve the coordination of multiple organs (larynx, nose, mouth, tongue, teeth, lips, and soft palate). Once oral cancer is present, regardless of the treatment method used, it will affect the functioning of these related organs, sometimes temporarily and sometimes permanently. If the vocal cords are removed or a total laryngectomy is performed, the patient will no longer be able to speak naturally and will need to undergo speech therapy to learn new methods of vocalization.

For any ear, nose, and throat issues, please contact ENT Head and Neck Surgery Centre  (Tel: 3100 0555) for a detailed consultation with our ENT specialists (phone 3100 0555).

Source:

HK ENT Specialist Ltd.

ENT Head and Neck Surgery Centre

For ENT Services, Audiology & Speech Therapy,

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