Hi,I introduced my self to the site just before Christmas & since then, well things not getting better.Recent surgery to jaw (composite flap)not successful,second surgery (free flap)to fix the problem & now I have an open wound again with leaking sinus & showing 3 screws from initial surgery. Have a horrible feeling that I'm going for the third time. Has this happened to anyone else? I am at home at the moment,no point in trying to see the surgeon until after the holidays so I'm changing the dressing 4-5 times a day (Permantly wet cause of leakage through sinus) Thank goodness no infection. If anyone has advice I'd welcome it. I was due to start RT at the end of January and now don't know what will happen.

Hello Susie

Let us hope you are third time lucky. These complications do occur. Keep the area clean as shown and see your surgeon as soon as practical. Your surgeon will have to close the sinus with some tissue from somewhere and perhaps remove the screws (if the bone they hold together has mended) to facilitate closure and healing.

The radiotherapy would be delayed to allow healing of a new flap and this might cause you worry but let me tell you a story. On Friday, I met a patient who had had a supraglottic cancer 5 years ago. He told about how radiotherapy to his neck had been delayed because he had developed an abdominal blood clot after chemotherapy. It had required immediate resection of part of his gut and re-joining. He was lucky to survive the operation. However, the delay had meant he needed more intensive radiotherapy later. But he had survived and had just been discharged from follow-up by his ENT surgeon. I don't know why he told me this story, perhaps it was meant for you! So stay positive and let me wish you loads of luck. Third time lucky? Why not!

Do let us know how you get on.

Best wishes
Vinod