title: Role of Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy in the Management of Submandibular Fistula After Reconstruction for Osteoradionecrosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) for complicated wounds has been extensively studied, it is rarely used in cases involving a submandibular fistula due to radiation-induced osteoradionecrosis of the mandible. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of NPWT for submandibular fistulas after reconstruction for osteoradionecrosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nine patients with submandibular fistulas after reconstruction for osteoradionecrosis treated with NPWT between 2011 and 2014 were included in the study. The wound healing was documented.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The NPWT device was removed postoperatively between days 7 and 12 (mean duration, 9.6 days). The wound bed was filled with healthy granulation tissue, and successful healing by second intention was observed in all patients within 2 weeks. No complications were observed. The follow-up ranged from 4 to 27 months (mean, 18 months); the fistulas exhibited excellent healing, and no recurrence or infection was observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  NPWT is a safe, effective technique for managing submandibular fistulas after reconstruction for osteoradionecrosis.
authors.affiliation: Attending, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Da-Ming
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Zhao-Hui
authors.initials: ZH
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Lecturer, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Pei-Lin
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Zhuang
authors.affiliation: Lecturer, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: You-Yuan
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Wei-Liang
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China. Electronic address: 158516636@qq.com.
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001860:Bone Plates; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D020878:Device Removal; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D058752:Free Tissue Flaps / Q000637:transplantation; D006085:Graft Survival; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008336:Mandibular Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D063175:Mandibular Reconstruction / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D064827:Myocutaneous Flap / Q000637:transplantation; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D054843:Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D010025:Osteoradionecrosis / Q000601:surgery*; D010369:Pectoralis Muscles / Q000637:transplantation; D012467:Salivary Gland Fistula / Q000628:therapy*; D013364:Submandibular Gland Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D013529:Surgical Wound Dehiscence / Q000209:etiology; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology