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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Suggest Treatment For Infection At Incision Site Caused After Jaw Reconstruction

I hope so. I had surgery in January for oral cancer. Bone from my fibula was taken to reconstruct left jaw. In Feb began radiation & chemo. The middle of March experienced drainage from the incision site. Radiation oncologist said that as long as it is draining it is ok. Finally chemo doc said that I should see my ENT. Saw him and have been on antibiotics since 4/29. He, along with my surgeon, said it is the metal plate that is causing the infection(ecoli). Had a CT san 6/13 to see if the bone healed well enough to remove the metal plate. Report says that I am cachetic. Seems to me that this should have been told to me prior to this. I do know that I have lost weight. What can I do?
Tue, 14 Jan 2020
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General Surgeon,  's  Response
Hi,

Noted your history of surgery for oral cancer with fibula reconstruction, Radiotherapy followed by a sinus most probably due to E coli infection at the plate, CT showed healed bones, enough to remove the plate, Doctor say cachexia, losing weight.
Well, the cachexia can be due to cancer, the radiotherapy or chemotherapy.
Other reasons are the psychological status one goes through during treatment of cancer of any place and sort.
If the bones have healed request your surgeons to remove the plate, send for gram staining, culture and sensitivity. This will give an idea if further antibiotic management is needed or not.
Get investigated and counselled by Psychiatrist for cachexia and treated accordingly.
Once the cancer and infection are settled it is possible that you may get benefited for improved hunger and weight gain too.
Have balanced diet, try to chose the foods and beverages that suit you the most, suit you the most.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. T. Chandrakant, General Surgeon
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Suggest Treatment For Infection At Incision Site Caused After Jaw Reconstruction

Hi, Noted your history of surgery for oral cancer with fibula reconstruction, Radiotherapy followed by a sinus most probably due to E coli infection at the plate, CT showed healed bones, enough to remove the plate, Doctor say cachexia, losing weight. Well, the cachexia can be due to cancer, the radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Other reasons are the psychological status one goes through during treatment of cancer of any place and sort. If the bones have healed request your surgeons to remove the plate, send for gram staining, culture and sensitivity. This will give an idea if further antibiotic management is needed or not. Get investigated and counselled by Psychiatrist for cachexia and treated accordingly. Once the cancer and infection are settled it is possible that you may get benefited for improved hunger and weight gain too. Have balanced diet, try to chose the foods and beverages that suit you the most, suit you the most. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. T. Chandrakant, General Surgeon