What Researchers Did
Researchers prospectively evaluated a systematic approach combining sequestrectomy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy for 33 cases of osteoradionecrosis in the head and neck.
What They Found
Of the 33 osteoradionecrosis cases treated, 7 (21%) were found to have recurrent cancer. For the remaining 26 cases, the systematic approach achieved a 77% control rate (20/26), with surgery playing a major role and hyperbaric oxygen therapy acting as an adjuvant.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian patients with osteoradionecrosis in the head and neck may benefit from a systematic treatment approach that prioritizes surgical intervention. This approach could improve disease control and help identify underlying recurrent cancer in cases of persistent osteoradionecrosis.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
The study's findings are limited by its relatively small sample size of 33 cases and its single-center nature.