title: Bisphosphonate related osteonecrosis of the palate: report of a case managed with free tissue transfer.
abstract: The management of patients with established bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (BRONJ) remains unclear. The patient discussed here presented with spontaneous BRONJ of the palate after taking an oral bisphosphonate for osteoporosis. Conservative management resulted in progression of the osteonecrosis. Surgical debridement and immediate reconstruction with free tissue transfer was undertaken and resulted in complete resolution of her condition. The case is presented here.
authors.affiliation: Head and Neck Surgery of Central Pennsylvania, Division of Tri-County Oral-Facial Surgeons, State College, PA 16801, USA. stephen_engroff@msn.com
authors.forename: Stephen L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Engroff
authors.forename: Domenick
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Coletti
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D019386:Alendronate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005542:Forearm / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007571:Jaw Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000601:surgery*; D009668:Nose Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D016155:Oral Fistula / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D010020:Osteonecrosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000601:surgery*; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000188:drug therapy; D021362:Palate, Hard / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply
chemical_list: D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D019386:Alendronate