Palatal Mucoperiosteum—A Redeemable Barrier in Surgical Management of Rhinocerebral Mucormycosis

Ever since the commencement of the COVID-19 pandemic, post-recovery complications have been in the highlights, out of which rhinocerebral mucormycosis tops the chart. The surgical management of this disease was always aggressive debridement, resection, and antifungal treatment. Oronasal communication after aggressive surgical management always leads to breathing, feeding, and cosmetic impairments. In this study, cases were managed by leaving the palatal mucosa intact after the removal of all the affected hard and soft tissues including the periosteum attached to the mucosa, to preserve the palatal mucoperiosteum and to improve the postoperative complications in patients by maintaining the oronasal separation. Prospective review of the operated case of rhinocerebral mucormycosis in 20 patients was presented. An intraoral approach for hard and soft tissue resection was employed. The palatal mucoperiosteum was salvaged in all patients. Postoperative complications like oronasal communication, ill-fitting prosthesis, and healing were evaluated. A total of 20 patients underwent maxillectomy for mucormycosis involving the maxilla and palate along with other facial bones. The palatal mucosa was preserved and used for oronasal separation. The expected complications of nasal regurgitation, crustation of the maxillary cavity, ill-fitting prosthesis, etc. were evaded due to this. The administration of Inj. liposomal amphotericin B (LiAB) postsurgically has been the backbone of this procedure.