Overview and Emerging Trends in the Treatment of Osteoradionecrosis.

OPINION STATEMENT: Osteoradionecrosis (ORN) of the mandible is a rare but devastating complication which occurs following radiation therapy for head and neck malignancies. Left untreated, ORN often results in pathologic fracture of the mandible leading to pain, trismus, difficulty eating, and overall poor quality of life. Historically, early intervention relied on hyperbaric oxygen and local debridement. Patients whose disease progressed despite therapy required segmental resection of the mandible with osseous free flap reconstruction, a highly invasive operation. Patients that presented with a moderate disease without pathologic fracture were often doomed to fail non-operative management, ultimately leading to disease progression and fracture. The traditional dichotomous treatment paradigm left a void of options for patients with moderate disease. The ideal intervention for this category of patients would provide renewed vascularity to the diseased tissue bed allowing for the osteogenesis and reestablishment of strong, load-bearing bone. The innovative technique termed the vascularized fascia lata "rescue flap" has proven to be an effective treatment for moderate ORN and will likely transform dated treatment algorithms.

Surgical management of mandibular ameloblastoma and immediate reconstruction with nonvascularized bone graft and hyperbaric oxygen therapy / Tratamiento quirúrgico de ameloblastoma mandibular y la reconstrucción inmediata con injerto oseo libre y terapia con oxígeno hiperbárico

Extensive resection of tumor often results in bone and soft tissue defects that cause functional and esthetic consequences. The reconstructive surgery is extremely important for the rehabilitation of these patients. The purpose of this study is to report on the use of Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy (HBO) in the case of a large ameloblastoma treated with segmental resection and reconstructed immediately with nonvascularized bone graft (NVBGs) from iliac crest. A 41-year-old woman was referred to our department because of paresthesia of the inferior alveolar nerve and history of swelling in the molar and ramus region of the left mandible. Panoramic radiograph depicting well-defined multilocular radiolucency extending from second pre-molar region to the left ramus region. An incisional biopsy confirms the diagnosis of solid ameloblastoma. The treatment of choice was segmental mandibular resection and immediate mandibular reconstruction using NVBGs from iliac crest, followed by removal of internal fixation and placement of dental implants with immediate loading. The patient received preoperative HBO (a 90-min session at 2.2-2.4 atmospheres, five times per week for two weeks, for a total of up to 10 sessions). Postoperative HBO (10 further 90-min sessions) was administered within 2weeks. The patient received rehabilitation with a mandibular implant-supported fixed complete dental prosthesis. The present study showed successful management of mandibular ameloblastoma that associated extensive surgery, immediate reconstruction with NVBGs from iliac crest, hyperbaric oxygen therapy and dental implants. These combined procedures allowed removal of lesion and reestablishment of mandibular contour and function.

La resección extensa de un tumor a menudo da lugar a defectos del hueso y de los tejidos blandos, que causan consecuencias funcionales y estéticas. La cirugía reconstructiva es extremadamente importante para la rehabilitación de estos pacientes. El propósito de este estudio fue informar sobre el uso de la terapia de oxígeno hiperbárico (HBO) en un caso de un ameloblastoma de gran tamaño, tratado con resección segmentaria y reconstruido inmediatamente con injerto óseo no vascularizado (IONV) de la cresta ilíaca. Una mujer de 41 años fue derivada a nuestro servicio por parestesia del nervio alveolar inferior e historia de hinchazón en la región molar y ramina de la mandíbula izquierda. Radiografía panorámica que muestra una radiolucencia multilocular bien definida que se extiende desde la segunda región pre-molar hasta la región de la rama izquierda. Una biopsia incisional confirma el diagnóstico de ameloblastoma sólido. El tratamiento de elección fue la resección mandibular segmentaria y la reconstrucción mandibular inmediata mediante IONV de cresta ilíaca, seguido de la eliminación de la fijación interna y la colocación de implantes dentales con carga inmediata. La paciente recibió OHB preoperatoria (una sesión de 90 minutos a 2.2-2.4 atmósferas, cinco veces por semana durante dos semanas, para un total de hasta 10 sesiones). La OHB postoperatoria (10 sesiones adicionales de 90 minutos) se administró en 2 semanas. La paciente recibió rehabilitación con una prótesis dental fija con implante mandibular. El presente estudio mostró un manejo exitoso del ameloblastoma mandibular asociado a una cirugía extensa, reconstrucción inmediata con IONV de cresta ilíaca, oxigenoterapia hiperbárica e implantes dentales. Estos procedimientos combinados permitieron la extirpación de la lesión y el restablecimiento del contorno y la función mandibular.

Manejo de tejidos blandos en regeneración/reconstrucción ósea mediante la técnica quirúrgica ‘Double Flap Incision Technique modificada’. Técnica de preservación del periostio / Oral surgery management of soft tissues with a new ‘Double Flap Incision Technique’ A periosteal preservation technique

Introducción: Las técnicas implantológicas demandan la existencia de unas estructuras óseas adecuadas en calidad y cantidad para alojar las fijaciones oseointegradas de un modo predecible. En ocasiones, el sustrato óseo es insuficiente, por lo que son necesarias técnicas de reconstrucción/regeneración ósea que precisan de un cierre primario completo para asegurarnos que los fenómenos que conducirán a la formación de nuevo tejido óseo se sucedan. El objetivo de este estudio es mostrar una serie de ocho casos clínicos donde la ‘Double Flap Incision Technique modificada’ nos sirve para reconstruir zonas de defecto óseo en la región mandibular posterior que limitaban la colocación de fijaciones oseointegradas. Métodos: Se realiza un estudio prospectivo de ocho casos clínicos procedentes de nuestra práctica privada, con déficit óseo en la zona posterior mandibular en pacientes demandantes de un tratamiento rehabilitador con prótesis fija implantosoportada. En todos los casos se utilizó la denominada ‘Double Flap Incision Technique modificada’ (DFITm). Resultados: En todos los casos conseguimos un cierre primario completo a los 15 días y fue posible la colocación de los implantes en la zona regenerada con criterio protésicamente guiado. Conclusión: La técnica de doble colgajo ‘Double Flap Incision Technique modificada’ nos permite llevar a cabo un adecuado cierre primario sin tensión en casos que requieran una reconstrucción o regeneración ósea, evitando la aparición de dehiscencias que conllevarían al fracaso del tratamiento (AU)

Introduction: Dental implants’ techniques needed to appropiate high-quality bones structures which can support osteointegration bindings in a predictable way. Occasionally, bone substrate is not the suitable one, it is for that reason that we need bone reconstruction and regeneration techniques in which we have to make a complete wound healing in order to guarantee bone regeneration in a correct way. The aim of this article is to comment eight case reports in which we used ‘Double flap incision technique’ to repair bone loss in posterior mandibular region. Methods: We have carried out a pilot study in about eight cases reports whose patients had bone loss in posterior mandibular region and treated with a dental implants’ repair treatment. ‘New Double Flap Incision Technique’ was used in all the cases we report. Results: We obtained an appropiate and complete wound healing in 15 days. In addition, dental implants were positionated in regenerated region correctly in all cases. Conclusion: This ‘New Double Flap Incision Technique’ provide us a way to obtain complete wound healing with no strain in cases which needed bone regeneration or reconstruction, avoid the presence of dehiscences which fail the treatment (AU)

Application of Vacuum-Assisted Closure Therapy and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for an Exposed Titanium Plate After Mandible Reconstruction.

The authors report a case of an 84-year-old woman with an exposed mandibular plate after reconstruction, which finally healed with combination therapy using vacuum-assisted closure therapy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The woman was diagnosed with mucosal carcinoma of the right oral cavity. During reconstruction after segmental excision of the mandible, a titanium plate was selected based on several risk factors. After the operation, the plate became exposed at the center of the chin. A second surgery was deemed inappropriate because of her age, malnutrition, and recurrent aspiration pneumonia. Instead, combination therapy consisting of vacuum-assisted closure therapy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy was initiated, leading to epithelizaion of the wound. Adapt Barrier Rings was effectively used to generate a stable negative pressure at the complicated craniofacial wound. A surgical or conservative approach is chosen as salvage treatment of an exposed plate. In this patient, only conservative treatment involving combination therapy resulted in complete healing of the wound with plate exposure. This patient highlights 2 important clinical issues: combination therapy was effective for an exposed mandibular plate, and a dressing technique using Adapt Barrier Rings enabled stable negative pressure in the craniofacial wound.

Health-related quality of life after segmental resection of the lateral mandible: Free fibula flap versus plate reconstruction.

OBJECTIVES: Segmental resection of the mandible causes functional, aesthetic and social problems affecting health-related quality of life (HRQoL). It is often assumed that reconstruction with composite free flaps guarantees better function and aesthetics than bridging the defect with reconstruction plates. METHODS: Using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer questionnaires (EORTC QLQ-C30 version 3.0 and EORTC QLQ-H&N35), we compared HRQoL in patients who received free fibula flaps versus reconstruction plates after segmental resection of the lateral mandible. RESULTS: Thirty-seven completed questionnaires (18 fibula reconstructions and 19 patients with reconstruction plates) were available. Reconstruction with a free fibula flap did not provide clear additional benefit to bridging the defect with a reconstruction plate after segmental resection of the lateral mandible. In particular aspects known to have the most impact on HRQoL like swallowing, speech and chewing were not influenced by the type of reconstruction. CONCLUSIONS: Reconstruction of segmental defects of the lateral mandible with free fibula flap and reconstruction plate resulted in comparable HRQoL. If dental rehabilitation by means of dental implants is not anticipated in the fibula, then plate reconstruction with adequate soft tissue remains a suitable technique for the reconstruction of segmental defects of the lateral mandible.

The approach of ameloblastoma of the mandible: a case treated by hyperbaric oxygen therapy and bone graft reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Reconstruction of mandibular defects after tumor resection is a challenge to the head and neck surgeon because of associated functional and esthetic problems. The intention of mandibular reconstructive surgery is to achieve maximum possible functionality, which means the restoration of masticatory function and speech with a good esthetic result. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) is already a well-accepted adjunct in the treatment of extensive bone defects. It has been shown to enhance osteogenesis and improve soft tissue wound healing in a variety of circumstances. CASE REPORT: The following case report describes a 29-year-old woman who was diagnosed with mandibular ameloblastoma. The treatment of choice is resection with mandibular base maintenance. The patient underwent 10 sessions of hyperbaric oxygen therapy and subsequent nonvascularized iliac crest graft. Six months after, mandibular reconstruction is possible to observe the preservation of mandibular contouring and facial esthetics. A panoramic radiograph revealed good positioning of the bone graft and volume maintenance. DISCUSSION: The mandibular reconstruction is extremely important for the rehabilitation of the patient who underwent bone resection. The restoration of mandibular function and facial esthetics is essential to maintain the quality of life. The use of HBO in mandibular reconstruction is an important adjunct to successful treatment, however, more studies are needed to establish the best modalities of rehabilitation.

Platelet Rich Fibrin (P.R.F.) in reconstructive surgery of atrophied maxillary bones: clinical and histological evaluations.

INTRODUCTION: Maxillary bone losses often require additional regenerative procedures: as a supplement to the procedures of tissue regeneration, a platelet concentrate called PRF (Platelet Rich Fibrin) was tested for the first time in France by Dr. Choukroun. Aim of the present study is to investigate, clinically and histologically, the potential use of PRF, associated with deproteinized bovine bone (Bio-Oss), as grafting materials in pre-implantology sinus grafting of severe maxillary atrophy, in comparison with a control group, in which only deproteinized bovine bone (Bio-Oss) was used as reconstructive material. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 60 patients were recruited using the cluster-sampling method; inclusion criteria were maxillary atrophy with residual ridge < 5mm. The major atrophies in selected patients involved sinus-lift, with a second-look reopening for the implant insertion phase. The used grafting materials were: a) Bio-Oss and b) amorphous and membranous PRF together with Bio-Oss. We performed all operations by means of piezosurgery in order to reduce trauma and to optimize the design of the operculum on the cortical bone. The reopening of the surgical area was scheduled at 3 different times. RESULTS: 72 sinus lifts were performed with subsequent implants insertions.We want to underline how the histological results proved that the samples collected after 106 days (Early protocol) with the adding of PRF were constituted by lamellar bone tissue with an interposed stroma that appeared relaxed and richly vascularized. CONCLUSIONS: The use of PRF and piezosurgery reduced the healing time, compared to the 150 days described in literature, favoring optimal bone regeneration. At 106 days, it is already possible to achieve good primary stability of endosseous implants, though lacking of functional loading.

Total autogenous mandibular reconstruction using virtual surgical planning.

Free fibula transfer has become the workhorse in mandibular reconstruction. Total mandibular reconstruction is an uncommon procedure with added complexity. Numerous techniques have been described for such reconstruction, many requiring a temporomandibular joint prosthesis. We present a novel method where simultaneous bilateral free fibula transfer utilizing preoperative virtual surgical planning was used to produce a total autogenous reconstruction. The virtual surgical planning allows to effectively quantify the bone stock required preoperatively and facilitates intraoperative modeling of the fibula. Therefore, a more anatomically correct reconstruction is obtained resulting in improved functional and aesthetic outcomes.