Fluorescence-guided bone resection in bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws: first clinical results of a prospective pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
Surgical debridement is the therapy of choice in advanced stages of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (BRONJ). However, the therapy is currently only loosely standardized because no suitable imaging modalities exist. This study aims to redress this by exploring the suitability and reproducibility of applying a fluorescence-guided bone resection to patients with BRONJ.


METHODS
This prospective pilot study comprised 15 patients with 20 BRONJ lesions (only stages II and III) with a history of intravenous bisphosphonate treatment for metastatic bone diseases. Before surgical treatment, each patient received a 10-day administration of doxycycline. Fluorescence-guided resection of necrotic bone was performed by means of a certified fluorescence lamp. Success of the procedure was proclaimed if mucosal closure was observed and symptoms were absent 4 weeks postoperatively.


RESULTS
The 4-week postoperative follow-up identified a mucosal closure in 17 of 20 BRONJ lesions (85%). These patients were free of any symptoms. Failure as defined by mucosal dehiscence and exposed bone was observed in 3 of 20 BRONJ lesions (15%).


CONCLUSIONS
The success rate of this surgical regimen of BRONJ was respectable, and thus fluorescence-guided bone resection can be considered an effective treatment for stage II and stage III BRONJ. Furthermore, the reproducibility of the technique offers an opportunity to standardize the surgical therapy. Further studies are called for that compare the fluorescence-guided bone resection with conventional surgical approaches, as well as surgical versus conservative treatment in the early stages (stages 0 and I) of BRONJ.
Pautke
Christoph
C
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Munich, Munich, Germany. christoph.pautke@gmx.net
Bauer
Florian
F
Otto
Sven
S
Tischer
Thomas
T
Steiner
Timm
T
Weitz
Jochen
J
Kreutzer
Kilian
K
Hohlweg-Majert
Bettina
B
Wolff
Klaus-Dietrich
KD
Hafner
Sigurd
S
Mast
Gerson
G
Ehrenfeld
Michael
M
Stürzenbaum
Stephen R
SR
Kolk
Andreas
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000556:secondary; D003646:Debridement / Q000379:methods*; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004318:Doxycycline; D005260:Female; D005453:Fluorescence; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000009:adverse effects; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007571:Jaw Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000145:classification / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010020:Osteonecrosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000145:classification / Q000601:surgery*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013529:Surgical Wound Dehiscence / Q000209:etiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing; D000077211:Zoledronic Acid
D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D004164:Diphosphonates; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D007093:Imidazoles; D000077211:Zoledronic Acid; D004318:Doxycycline