What Researchers Did
Researchers investigated the long-term outcomes of multimodality therapy, including hyperbaric oxygen, for mandibular osteoradionecrosis in 65 consecutive patients, systematically reviewing medical records and patient calls.
What They Found
Multimodality therapy led to resolution or improvement in 57 out of 65 patients (88%) with mandibular osteoradionecrosis (p < 0.001). Healing or improvement lasted a mean of 86.1 months in nonsmokers, significantly longer than 15.8 months in smokers and 24.2 months in patients with recurrent cancer (p = 0.002).
What This Means for Canadian Patients
For Canadian patients with mandibular osteoradionecrosis, multimodality therapy, including hyperbaric oxygen, may be an effective option, especially when other treatments have failed. Patients should discuss this approach with their healthcare providers, noting that non-smokers experienced significantly longer periods of healing.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
The study's reliance on retrospective medical record review and patient telephone calls may introduce potential biases in data collection and reporting.