Name of the Procedure:

Excision of Lesion of the Floor of the Mouth

Summary

This procedure involves the surgical removal of an abnormal growth or lesion located on the floor of the mouth. The aim is to eliminate the lesion, which could be a benign tumor, cyst, or malignant growth.

Purpose

The primary goal of this procedure is to diagnose and treat abnormal lesions on the floor of the mouth. By removing the lesion, the procedure aims to prevent potential complications like infection, difficulty swallowing, or malignancy.

Indications

• Presence of a visible or palpable lesion on the floor of the mouth.
• Symptoms such as pain, swelling, difficulty in swallowing, or speech difficulties.
• Biopsy results indicating a potentially malignant pathology.
• Recurrent infections or abscesses in the region.

Preparation

• Patients may be advised to fast for several hours before the procedure.
• Adjustments to regular medications might be necessary, especially blood thinners.
• Pre-procedure imaging studies, such as CT or MRI scans, may be required.
• Blood tests to assess general health and clotting status.

Procedure Description

1. The procedure usually begins with the administration of local or general anesthesia to ensure patient comfort.
2. The surgeon makes an incision in the floor of the mouth to access the lesion.
3. Surgical instruments, such as scalpels, forceps, and possibly lasers, are used to excise the lesion.
4. The excised tissue is then sent to a pathology lab for further examination.
5. The surgical site is sutured, and antiseptic measures are applied to prevent infection.

Duration

The procedure typically takes between 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the size and complexity of the lesion.

Setting

This procedure can be performed in a hospital operating room, outpatient surgical center, or specialized clinic.

Personnel

• Oral or Maxillofacial Surgeon
• Surgical Nurse
• Anesthesiologist or Nurse Anesthetist

Risks and Complications

• Common risks: Bleeding, infection, swelling, and pain.
• Rare risks: Damage to surrounding tissues, nerve damage causing numbness or altered sensation, or anesthesia-related complications.

Benefits

• Removal of potentially harmful or bothersome lesions.
• Elimination or reduction of symptoms like pain and difficulty swallowing.
• Potentially prevents the progression of malignant lesions, thus improving long-term health prospects.

Recovery

• Post-procedure care includes pain management with prescribed medications and maintaining oral hygiene to prevent infection.
• Patients are advised to follow a soft or liquid diet for a few days.
• Regular follow-up appointments to monitor healing and review pathology results.
• Full recovery typically occurs within 1-2 weeks, with some restrictions on physical activities.

Alternatives

• Observation and regular monitoring, particularly for small or non-symptomatic lesions.
• Non-surgical approaches, such as laser ablation or cryotherapy, which may be less invasive but also may not provide tissue for pathological examination.
• The pros of alternatives include less invasiveness and faster recovery; however, they might not be as definitive as surgical excision.

Patient Experience

• During the procedure: The patient will be under local or general anesthesia, hence should feel minimal to no pain.
• After the procedure: Mild to moderate pain and swelling are common, manageable with prescribed analgesics.
• The patient might experience temporary difficulty in speaking or swallowing, which typically improves as healing progresses.