What Researchers Did
Researchers investigated hyperbaric oxygen therapy combined with surgery to preserve bone continuity in eight patients with osteoradionecrosis of the mandible.
What They Found
Two out of eight patients (25%) who received over 50 hours of hyperbaric oxygen therapy achieved total recovery with bone continuity preserved. However, three patients required partial mandibular resection, and two patients still had osteoradionecrosis.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
For Canadian patients with osteoradionecrosis of the mandible, hyperbaric oxygen therapy might be considered as an adjunct to surgery, particularly for prolonged treatment durations. However, this approach may not always prevent the need for more extensive surgery or guarantee complete resolution of the condition.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection as it was conducted in a different country.
Study Limitations
The primary limitation of this study is its very small sample size of only eight patients, limiting the generalizability of the findings.