Diagnosis for jaw cancer in University Hospital Frankfurt am Main

About the department

The Department of Adult and Pediatric Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Facial Plastic Surgery at the University Hospital Frankfurt am Main offers a comprehensive range of modern surgical procedures across its areas of specialization. Its key areas of expertise include corrective jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery), surgical correction of craniofacial malformations and cleft lip and palate, surgery for head and neck tumors, reconstructive and aesthetic facial surgery, and trauma surgery. The department's medical team also has extensive experience in dental implantology and dental surgery. Depending on the complexity of the procedure and the individual patient's clinical condition, surgical treatment is provided on an outpatient or inpatient basis. In addition to general consultations, the department offers specialized consultations for patients with dentofacial deformities (dysgnathia), temporomandibular joint dysfunction, cleft lip and palate, traumatic injuries, malignancies, and secondary reconstructive procedures. The department's specialists employ cutting-edge surgical techniques that enable effective treatment along with good aesthetic outcomes, which is crucial in facial surgery. They also place great emphasis on individualized patient care and are committed to addressing each patient's specific needs. Patients can expect care that adheres to high standards of clinical practice and reflects current international medical approaches. The department is headed by Prof. Dr. Dr. med. Robert Sader.

One of the department's key areas of specialization is orthognathic surgery, which deals with the surgical correction of jaw misalignments. Malocclusions are often congenital, but they can also be acquired following an accident or due to other causes. Mild misalignments of the teeth and jaws can usually be treated with orthodontic appliances, either fixed or removable. However, more severe cases require orthodontic treatment combined with a surgical procedure. If left untreated, the resulting strain on the jaw joints can contribute to temporomandibular joint problems. Furthermore, severe dysgnathia can also ultimately lead to disproportionate facial features. The entire treatment process typically takes between two and four years. The first stage involves aligning the teeth in preparation for surgery using orthodontic appliances. After about one to two years, a surgical procedure (repositioning osteotomy) is planned in detail, using plaster models or, increasingly, digital 3D planning. In some cases, surgery on a single jaw is sufficient, while in others, both jaws need to be repositioned. Following surgery, the orthodontist will make the necessary final adjustments to the new jaw alignment over a period of six to twelve months. The department's specialists perform this type of surgery using advanced surgical techniques, including minimally invasive piezosurgery, which uses ultrasonic vibrations to cut bone. They also use resorbable osteosynthesis plates for jaw fixation, potentially avoiding the need for a second minor procedure to remove the fixation plates. The department offers expert consultations and second opinions on orthognathic surgery, enabling patients to learn about the available treatment options, understand the potential benefits and risks, and make informed decisions.

The department's surgical team has extensive expertise in the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care of patients with head and neck tumors. As part of the University Cancer Center Frankfurt, the department provides treatment for patients with malignant neoplasms of the oral cavity, facial skin, and salivary glands. Once a cancer diagnosis has been confirmed, further diagnostic imaging, including MRI, CT, and PET/CT, is performed. These assessments help determine the extent of the tumor and detect signs of potential lymph node involvement or distant metastasis. Treatment plans for patients with head and neck tumors are developed individually during weekly multidisciplinary tumor board meetings attended by radiologists, nuclear medicine specialists, radiation oncologists, otorhinolaryngologists, as well as oral and maxillofacial surgeons. Treatment options include the full range of surgical procedures for removing tumors from the oral cavity and facial skin. In many cases, reconstructive surgery is performed immediately after tumor removal. However, surgery alone may be insufficient for cancer treatment. Therefore, in cooperation with the relevant specialists, the department also provides access to modern radiation therapy and chemotherapy options, which can be used in combination with surgery or as standalone treatments, depending on the individual clinical situation.

The department's range of medical services includes the diagnosis and treatment of facial injuries, including soft-tissue facial injuries and fractures of the facial bones. The medical team also has extensive experience in the management of patients with multiple severe injuries (polytrauma). Treatment is provided by an interdisciplinary medical team comprising trauma surgeons, anesthesiologists, radiologists, neurosurgeons, ophthalmologists, as well as specialists in oral and maxillofacial and plastic facial surgery. The emergency unit responsible for treating patients with facial skeleton injuries is equipped with state-of-the-art imaging technology, enabling diagnostic procedures to be performed promptly on site. Subsequent medical care takes place on an inpatient basis, as clinically indicated. One of the department's primary objectives is to treat facial injuries with the utmost precision while minimizing scarring and achieving optimal aesthetic results. This is made possible through the use of advanced osteosynthesis materials and the surgical team's extensive expertise.

The department's key clinical areas include:

• Orthognathic surgery
  • Repositioning osteotomy using minimally invasive piezosurgery and resorbable osteosynthesis plates for jaw fixation
• Head and neck tumor surgery
  • Tumor removal surgery with reconstructive procedures if clinically indicated
  • Chemotherapy and radiation therapy in cooperation with the relevant medical specialists
• Surgery for facial injuries, including soft-tissue facial injuries and fractures of the facial bones
• Surgical treatment of cleft lip and palate
• Surgical treatment of temporomandibular joint disorders
• Aesthetic and reconstructive facial surgery
• Dental implantology with a focus on implant treatment for patients who have undergone tumor surgery, sustained severe facial injuries, or have cleft lip and palate
• Dental surgery
  • Surgical removal of wisdom teeth and supernumerary teeth
  • Tooth-preserving procedures, including apicoectomy, retrograde root-end filling, root amputation, cyst removal, and reconstruction of periodontal defects
  • Periodontal surgery
  • Surgical removal of problematic labial or lingual frenula in children and adolescents
  • Surgical removal of salivary stones and treatment of salivary gland disorders
  • Surgical treatment of oral mucosal diseases
• Other medical services