What Researchers Did
An expert panel conducted a systematic review to develop evidence-based guidelines for preventing and managing osteoradionecrosis of the jaw in head and neck cancer patients treated with radiation therapy.
What They Found
Out of 1,539 initial publications, 80 studies were included in the systematic review, leading to strong evidence-based recommendations for ORN prevention and surgical management. However, no recommendations were possible for leukocyte- and platelet-rich fibrin or photobiomodulation, and hyperbaric oxygen use for ORN prevention and management was largely unjustified due to limited evidence.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian patients with head and neck cancer receiving radiation therapy can benefit from updated, evidence-based guidelines for preventing and managing osteoradionecrosis of the jaw. These guidelines offer clearer guidance on best practices for prevention and surgical interventions, while also clarifying areas where treatments like hyperbaric oxygen lack strong support.
Canadian Relevance
This guideline is relevant to Canadian patients as it provides updated, evidence-based recommendations for a significant complication of head and neck cancer treatment.
Study Limitations
A key limitation was the reliance on informal consensus for some recommendations due to the scarcity of strong available evidence.