Serial assessment and long‐term radiographic evaluation of the maxillary sinus after inferior maxillectomy and soft tissue free flap reconstruction in patients with oral cancer

Purpose This study evaluates serial radiographic changes in the maxillary sinus of patients with oral cancer after an inferior maxillectomy and a soft tissue free flap reconstruction. Methods Fifty‐six patients were evaluated between Oct 2005 and Mar 2017 from an institutional database. Preoperative and surveillance imaging was reviewed at set time‐points. Maxillary sinus scores were allotted based on a modification of the Lund–MacKay staging system. Patients were evaluated for change in sinus score. A univariate (UV) and multivariate (MV) analysis was performed. Results There were 53.5% T3/T4 category tumors and 68% received adjuvant treatment. Median follow‐up was 24.4 months. Preoperative mean sinus score was 0.27 ± 0.44 and postoperative mean sinus score at 24 months was 1.2 ± 1.3 (p =