HYPERBARIC-OXYGEN TREATMENT OF OSTEORADIONECROSIS OF THE MANDIBLE - EXPERIENCE IN 29 PATIENTS

In recent years hyperbaric oxygen has gained an important role in the treatment of osteoradionecrosis of the mandible. In the treatment of 2 9 patients with osteoradionecrosis of the mandible, a combination of s urgical debridement, antibiotics, and hyperbaric oxygen was used in 27 cases. In 20 of the 29 patients the osteoradionecrosis was considered to be resolved after treatment. In 31% of the patients, the continuit y of the mandible was lost. It was concluded that combined treatment o f surgical debridement, antibiotics, and hyperbaric oxygen gives accep table results and may, when used in an early phase of the disease, lim it the number of patients who lose continuity of the mandible.