Osteoradionecrosis of the Maxilla: Conservative Management and Reconstructive Considerations.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-1-2020

Abstract

The implementation of radiotherapy in the multimodal treatment of advanced head and neck cancer has greatly improved survival rates. In some patients, however, this benefit comes at the potential expense of the tissue surrounding the primary site of malignancy. Osteoradionecrosis (ORN) of the facial bones, in particular the maxilla, is a debilitating complication of radiation therapy. Exposure to ionizing radiation results in devitalization of underlying bone with necrosis of adjacent soft tissue. Controversy surrounding appropriate early intervention in ORN persists and no consensus for clinical treatment has been established. In the present article, we review the pathophysiology of maxillary ORN and discuss the role of both conservative medical therapy and reconstruction.

Comments

This article was published in Seminars in Plastic Surgery, Volume 34, Issue 2, pages 106-113.

The published version is available at https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0040-1709144.

Copyright © 2020 Thieme Medical Publishers.

Publication Title

Seminars in Plastic Surgery

PubMed ID

32390778

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