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A new, simple method of making a spacer in interstitial brachytherapy for mobile tongue cancer
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
Objectives:
This article demonstrates a new method of making a spacer that increases the distance between the mandible and implanted radioactive sources in interstitial brachytherapy for patients with mobile tongue cancer.
Study Design:
Fifty-three patients with mobile tongue cancer underwent interstitial brachytherapy with spacers made by this new technique.
Results:
Our spacer is not difficult to create or to use. The spacer was made from a plastic splint by using thermoforming techniques and quick self-curing resin, which did not need waxing, wiring, or casting. The surface of the spacer, which comes in contact with the tongue, is smooth because it is covered with tissue-conditioning material. There were no complaints of pain from the patients. Osteoradionecrosis of the mandible developed in only 1 (1.9%) of these patients.
Conclusions:
This spacer is simple to make and prevented osteoradionecrosis.