title: Intraoral Vacuum-Assisted Closure Therapy-A Pilot Study in Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  For approximately 2 decades, vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) therapy has been widely used for the management of complex wounds and soft tissue defects on the external surface of the body. As yet, this technique has not been studied for intraoral wound management. Therefore, this study evaluated the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of intraoral VAC therapy in patients with medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ).
  
  
  METHODS
  After successful construction of an intraoral device providing sufficient airtight sealing, individually manufactured appliances were used in a prospective clinical trial of 3 patients using the VAC therapy system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Intraoral VAC therapy showed some success and did not produce serious side effects. Different positive effects, such as formation of new granulation tissue, cessation of pain, and pus suppuration, were found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This prospective proof-of-principle study showed that intraoral VAC therapy is feasible and safe. It could play a role in the management of MRONJ and other types of intraoral wounds (eg, osteoradionecrosis, postoperative wound dehiscence, etc).
authors.affiliation: Consultant, University Hospital for Craniomaxillofacial and Oral Surgery, Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Laimer
authors.affiliation: Consultant, University Hospital for Craniomaxillofacial and Oral Surgery, Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: Otto
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Steinmassl
authors.affiliation: Consultant, University Hospital for Craniomaxillofacial and Oral Surgery, Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hechenberger
authors.affiliation: Professor and Head, University Hospital for Craniomaxillofacial and Oral Surgery, Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rasse
authors.affiliation: Consultant, University Hospital for Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery, Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: Rajmond
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pikula
authors.affiliation: Consultant, University Hospital for Craniomaxillofacial and Oral Surgery, Innsbruck, Austria. Electronic address: office@bruckmoser.info.
authors.forename: Emanuel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bruckmoser
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D059266:Bisphosphonate-Associated Osteonecrosis of the Jaw / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D054843:Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies