Retrospective audit of the use of the Marx Protocol for prophylactic hyperbaric oxygen therapy in managing patients requiring dental extractions following radiotherapy to the head and neck

What Researchers Did

Researchers conducted a retrospective audit to review the outcomes of prophylactic hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in preventing osteoradionecrosis (ORN) in patients undergoing dental extractions after head and neck radiotherapy.

What They Found

Of 29 treated patients, 26 (90%) were available for follow-up. One patient failed to heal after dental extractions following prophylactic HBOT, and nine patients (34%) developed temporary vision changes.

What This Means for Canadian Patients

Prophylactic hyperbaric oxygen therapy may be a beneficial approach for Canadian patients requiring dental extractions after head and neck radiotherapy to reduce the risk of osteoradionecrosis. Patients should be aware of the potential for temporary vision changes as a side effect of HBOT.

Canadian Relevance

This study has no direct Canadian connection as it was conducted in New Zealand.

Study Limitations

The study's retrospective audit design and small sample size limit the generalizability of its findings.