title: Cost analysis of osteoradionecrosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Osteoradionecrosis is a significant complication of head and neck cancer treatment, and its most severe form (grade III) necessitates radical surgery. This study aimed to compare the cost of free-flap reconstructive surgery for grade III osteoradionecrosis and similar non-osteoradionecrosis cases in order to assess the cost burden of osteoradionecrosis treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients who underwent free-flap reconstructive surgery for osteoradionecrosis between July 2004 and July 2010 at Auckland City Hospital (19 patients) were identified, and relevant data were collected retrospectively. These patients were matched in terms of age and sex with patients who underwent free-flap reconstructive surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The treatment cost was 44 per cent higher in osteoradionecrosis patients when compared to non-osteoradionecrosis patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The significant financial burden on the health system, and the growing evidence for the effectiveness of pentoxifylline, tocopherol and clodronate, should prompt us to explore this alternative treatment further.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery,North Shore Hospital,Auckland,New Zealand.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery,Auckland City Hospital,New Zealand.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lilic
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery,North Shore Hospital,Auckland,New Zealand.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Addison
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery,Auckland City Hospital,New Zealand.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Patel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D005260:Female; D058752:Free Tissue Flaps; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010025:Osteoradionecrosis / Q000191:economics* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies
keywords: Osteoradionecrosis; Free Tissue Flaps; Reconstructive Surgical Procedure; Costs and Cost Analysis; Therapeutics; Otolaryngology