Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of the hard palate -rehabilitation with a modified surgical obturator: A case report

Background: Carcinomas of the oral cavity can be debilitating, making postsurgical rehabilitation crucial for maintaining the patient's quality of life.Adenoid cystic carcinomas (ACC) represent 3% to 5% of all malignant neoplasms in the head and neck region.Case presentation: This report presents a case of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the hard palate.The patient reported swelling in the hard palate, as well as externally on the right nasolabial fold and infra-orbital region.A preliminary diagnosis of a minor salivary gland tumor was made.No distant organ metastasis had occurred.Incisional biopsy reported the swelling as adenoid cystic carcinoma of a solid pattern.A subtotal maxillectomy with radial free flap reconstruction was planned.Due to the failure of the flap reconstruction, a surgical obturator became necessary.Conclusion: The surgical obturator enhanced the patient's quality of life after surgery by incorporating teeth, a feature not found in conventional obturators.This allowed the patient to consume a soft diet more easily.