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Commando Surgery with Reconstruction
AdvancedSpecialist surgeons onlyCashless insuranceFree follow-ups
Commando surgery - formally called composite resection - is a major, well-established operation for advanced oral cancer. In one carefully planned procedure, the surgical team removes the tumour in the mouth, the involved portion of the jawbone if necessary, and the lymph nodes in the neck. Removing all of these together gives the best chance of clearing the cancer completely.
The word 'commando' can sound intimidating, but for suitable patients this operation is often the decisive step towards cure. Advanced oral cancers that involve the cheek, tongue, floor of the mouth or jaw frequently cannot be controlled by radiation or medicines alone - complete surgical removal, followed by reconstruction and usually radiation, offers the strongest long-term results.
At Axten Hospitals, commando surgery is performed only by specialist head-and-neck onco-surgeons working alongside plastic and reconstructive surgeons, who rebuild the removed area in the same sitting using the patient's own tissue. You receive one honest, all-inclusive package price covering the entire operation, reconstruction and hospital stay - with cashless insurance, 0% EMI, a dedicated care coordinator and zero surprise billing.
Honest all-inclusive price₹3,50,000 - ₹6,50,000 (all-inclusive, varies by extent of resection, flap type & city)See full cost breakdown
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Symptoms of Advanced Oral Cancer
- A large or deep non-healing ulcer or growth inside the mouth
- A visible or palpable swelling of the cheek or jaw
- Loose teeth or pain in the jawbone near the growth
- Difficulty opening the mouth, chewing or swallowing
- Persistent one-sided ear pain or numbness of the lip or chin
- One or more firm lumps in the neck
Risks of delaying treatment
- The tumour can invade deeper into the jaw, tongue base or skin, making complete removal impossible
- Cancer can spread further into neck nodes and to distant organs, closing the window for cure
- Growing tumours cause severe pain, bleeding, inability to eat and rapid weight loss, weakening you before treatment
- A delay of even a few weeks can turn an operable cancer into one that can only be managed, not cured
How is advanced oral cancer diagnosed?
The diagnosis of advanced oral cancer is confirmed with a biopsy of the growth, taken under local anaesthesia. Imaging - usually a contrast CT or MRI of the face and neck, plus a PET-CT or chest scan - maps exactly how far the tumour extends into the cheek, tongue, jawbone and neck nodes, and rules out spread elsewhere in the body.
Before surgery, the team also assesses dental health, nutrition, heart and lung fitness, and plans the reconstruction - deciding in advance which flap (from the forearm, thigh, leg or chest) will best rebuild the area being removed. At Axten, this entire evaluation is completed swiftly under one roof, and the full surgical plan is explained to you and your family in clear, honest terms.
Benefits of advanced treatment
- Removes the tumour, involved jaw and neck nodes completely in a single operation
- Immediate flap reconstruction restores the shape of the face, jaw and mouth
- Preserves and rehabilitates speech and swallowing far better than older techniques
- Offers genuine long-term cure prospects even in locally advanced oral cancer
- Joint onco-surgical and plastic surgery team ensures both cancer clearance and function
- Honest all-inclusive package covering surgery, reconstruction, ICU care and stay
Types of commando surgery with reconstruction
Non-surgical options
- Concurrent chemo-radiation - the primary option for patients whose tumours are inoperable or who are unfit for major surgery.
- Neoadjuvant chemotherapy - medicines occasionally used before surgery in selected cases to shrink borderline-operable tumours.
- Adjuvant radiation or chemo-radiation - treatment after surgery, recommended for most patients to secure the result and reduce recurrence.
Surgical & procedural options
- Classical commando operation (composite resection) - en-bloc removal of the oral tumour, a segment of the lower jaw and the neck lymph nodes.
- Composite resection with marginal mandibulectomy - the jaw's rim is removed but its continuity preserved when the bone is only superficially involved.
- Pedicled flap reconstruction (e.g., PMMC flap) - nearby chest muscle and skin rotated up to rebuild the defect; robust and reliable.
- Free flap microvascular reconstruction - tissue (with or without bone) from the forearm, thigh or fibula transplanted with microscope-assisted blood vessel joins for the most natural rebuild.
- Tracheostomy (temporary) - a short-term breathing opening in the neck that keeps the airway safe while swelling settles, closed after recovery.
How the procedure is performed
Commando surgery is performed under general anaesthesia and typically takes six to ten hours, as it is really two operations in one. First, the onco-surgical team removes the tumour with safe margins - including the involved segment of jawbone where necessary - together with the lymph nodes of the neck, all as one connected specimen. Margins are checked during surgery to confirm complete clearance.
The reconstructive team then rebuilds the removed area, most often with a free flap: skin, muscle and sometimes bone taken from the forearm, thigh or lower leg, whose fine blood vessels are joined to neck vessels under a microscope. This restores the lining of the mouth, the contour of the jaw and face, and the platform needed for future speech, swallowing and dental rehabilitation.
A temporary tracheostomy keeps breathing safe while swelling settles, and feeding is given through a soft nasal tube for the first one to two weeks. Patients typically spend one to two days in the ICU for close monitoring and go home in ten to fourteen days. Speech and swallowing therapy starts in hospital, and free follow-up visits track your recovery and plan any post-operative radiation.
Recovery & aftercare
- Feeding happens through a soft nasal tube for the first 1-2 weeks; mouth feeding resumes gradually as healing is confirmed
- The temporary tracheostomy is usually removed within 5-10 days, after which the small opening closes on its own
- Do the jaw-opening, neck and shoulder exercises daily as taught - they prevent stiffness and speed up function
- Attend speech and swallowing therapy regularly; steady weekly progress is the norm over 2-3 months
- Keep the mouth and flap area clean with prescribed rinses, and never miss a dressing review
- Stop tobacco and alcohol permanently, and attend every free follow-up so the team can monitor healing and plan radiation on time
Why Axten
Care that doesn't stop at the operating table
Every commando surgery with reconstruction package includes your surgeon's fee, OT and anaesthesia charges, hospital stay, standard medicines and post-procedure follow-ups - quoted once, in writing, before you decide.
- Talk with our experts
Share your reports on a free call. A specialist reviews your case the same day.
- Honest fixed quote
Receive one all-inclusive package price in writing - before you commit to anything.
- Insurance & paperwork
Our insurance desk secures cashless approval and completes every formality.
- Your procedure
A senior specialist operates at a partner hospital near you, on your scheduled date.
- Recovery & follow-ups
Free follow-up consultations and recovery monitoring until you are fully healed.
The Axten standard
Why patients choose Axten for commando surgery with reconstruction
For commando surgery with reconstruction, Axten focuses on the parts patients usually find stressful: confirming the right specialist, explaining the procedure clearly, locking the package price in writing and keeping recovery follow-ups organised.
NABHstandard partner hospitals
100%written package quotes
24x7care helpline access
One written package
Surgeon, OT, anaesthesia, stay, standard medicines and follow-ups are itemised upfront.
Insurance handled early
Cashless eligibility, TPA paperwork and EMI options are checked before admission.
Coordinator-led recovery
A care coordinator keeps follow-ups, reports and recovery instructions organised.
FAQs about commando surgery with reconstruction
What exactly is commando surgery?
Commando surgery, medically called composite resection, is a single major operation for advanced oral cancer in which the tumour in the mouth, the involved part of the jawbone and the lymph nodes of the neck are removed together. It is combined with immediate reconstruction, where plastic surgeons rebuild the removed area using tissue from another part of your own body.
Why is such a big operation necessary? Can't medicines or radiation treat it?
For advanced oral cancers involving the jaw or deep tissues, complete surgical removal followed by radiation gives significantly better long-term control than radiation or chemotherapy alone. Medicines and radiation still play a vital supporting role after surgery. Where surgery is genuinely not suitable, Axten's tumour board will say so honestly and recommend chemo-radiation instead - the plan is always evidence-based.
How will my face look after commando surgery with reconstruction?
Modern reconstruction has changed outcomes dramatically. The flap rebuilds the cheek, jawline or tongue in the same operation, so facial contour is restored rather than left hollow. There will be scars, and some change in appearance is expected, but most patients look natural in everyday interactions. Your surgeons will show you realistic expectations for your specific operation before you consent.
Will I be able to speak and eat after this operation?
Yes - with time and therapy, the large majority of patients speak understandably and eat a normal or near-normal soft diet. Reconstruction restores the structures, and dedicated speech and swallowing therapy, which begins in hospital and continues after discharge, rebuilds the function. Recovery of speech and eating is gradual over weeks to a few months, and Axten's rehabilitation team supports you throughout.
How long is the hospital stay, and is ICU care needed?
Plan for ten to fourteen days in hospital. The first one or two days are spent in the ICU for close monitoring of the flap and airway - this is routine and not a sign of trouble. The temporary tracheostomy and feeding tube are removed as healing progresses. Your Axten package covers ICU, ward stay and nursing at one honest all-inclusive price.
What does commando surgery cost at Axten Hospitals?
Commando surgery with reconstruction at Axten typically costs between ₹3,50,000 and ₹6,50,000, depending on the extent of removal and the type of flap used. This is an honest, all-inclusive package - surgeons' and anaesthetists' fees, ICU and ward stay, consumables and pathology - with zero surprise billing. Cashless insurance and 0% EMI are available. Call 8156-92-92-92 for a detailed estimate.
Is commando surgery safe for older patients?
Age alone is not a barrier - overall fitness matters more. Every patient undergoes thorough heart, lung and nutritional assessment before surgery, and anaesthesia and ICU protocols are tailored accordingly. Many patients in their sixties and seventies undergo this operation successfully. If the risks genuinely outweigh the benefits for someone, Axten's specialists will say so plainly and offer the safest alternative.
Will I need radiation after commando surgery?
Most patients do. Because commando surgery is performed for advanced tumours, post-operative radiation - sometimes with weekly chemotherapy - is usually recommended to destroy any microscopic cells and lower the chance of recurrence. It typically starts four to six weeks after surgery, once healing is sound. Your Axten care coordinator schedules the entire radiation course and your free follow-up reviews for you.
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