title: Hyperbaric oxygen in the prevention of osteoradionecrosis of the jaws.
abstract: Patients who have had their jaws irradiated as part of management of head and neck malignancy are at risk of osteoradionecrosis (ORN) following tooth extraction. Thirty-seven patients with a history of irradiation to the jaws were managed during a four year period. Twenty-nine patients received hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) consisting of 20 treatments before surgery and ten treatments after. Only one (4 per cent) developed ORN. Seven patients who did not have HBO and one who did (15 per cent) developed ORN. The need for prophylactic treatment with HBO is discussed. It is recommended that prophylactic HBO is used prior to surgery for irradiated facial bones.
authors.affiliation: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Unit, University of Adelaide.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vudiniabola
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pirone
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Williamson
authors.forename: A N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Goss
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D006801:Humans; D006931:Hyperbaric Oxygenation; D007568:Jaw / Q000528:radiation effects; D007571:Jaw Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010025:Osteoradionecrosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014081:Tooth Extraction; D016896:Treatment Outcome