This refers to removing a part of the mandible, or lower jaw.

Mandibulectomies can be either Partial – also known as a rim resection – or Segmental, which involves removal of the full thickness of the jaw.

Mandibulectomies are performed in treatment of mouth cancer if the tumour is either arising right next to the jaw or if it has invaded the jaw. An MRI or CT scan (sometimes both) are used to predict whether the jaw has been invaded.

The nerve that supplies feeling to the lower lip runs inside part of the jaw. Usually if patients have to have a section of jaw removed, they experience permanent numbness or altered feeling to the lower lip on that side.