A case of hard palate resection without functional impairment by preservation of the nasal mucosa

Surgical resection of supragingival and hard palate tumors often requires functional reconstruction, such as the creation of a maxillary denture or flap reconstruction, because the postoperative connection of the oral cavity and nasal sinuses results in dysfunctions such as chewing, swallowing, and dysarthria. We report here a case of mucosal malignant melanoma of the hard palate that was cured without functional impairment by preservation of the nasal mucosa. The patient was treated surgically with a diagnosis of mucosal malignant melanoma cT3N0M0 without bone invasion. In the surgery, the nasal septum and nasal floor mucosa were preserved endoscopically, and the palatal mucosa, maxilla, palatine bone, and vomer were removed en bloc. In addition, the MCFP （Mucosal defect Covered with Fibrin glue and Polyglycolic acid sheet） technique was performed with nasal mucosal lining. Recovery was possible without functional impairment without the use of flap reconstruction or maxillary dentures.