What Researchers Did
This study evaluated the success of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) and surgery in treating mandibular osteoradionecrosis (ORN) in 27 patients, correlating outcomes with the extent of ORN.
What They Found
After HBOT alone, 3 of 11 (27%) stage I lesions healed, while 0 of 8 stage II and 0 of 8 stage III lesions healed (P=0.0018). The absolute incidence of ORN was 5.3% in this population, with the floor of the mouth most associated (8.6%).
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian patients with early-stage mandibular osteoradionecrosis (ORN) might benefit from hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) as a potential treatment option. For more advanced stages, HBOT may be considered in selected cases, often in conjunction with surgery.
Canadian Relevance
This study was not conducted in Canada and does not have a direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
A limitation of this study is its relatively small sample size of 27 patients, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.