Managing Mandibular Osteoradionecrosis

Mandibular osteoradionecrosis (MORN) is a morbid complication of head and neck radiation therapy. Recent advances in surgical and medical therapies underscore the need for a shift in traditional treatment paradigms and a disease grading system that can guide appropriate management.

Pubmed/MEDLINE.

We conducted a detailed review of publications related to MORN, specifically focusing on its staging and management techniques. Articles meeting inclusion criteria were synthesized into a final narrative review.

There has been a paradigm shift away from hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the management of MORN. Growing evidence for the efficacy of pentoxifylline and tocopherol in early-stage disease and novel surgical techniques to manage moderate and late-stage disease warrant an updated staging stratification which is proposed.

This review summarizes the clinical efficacy of established and novel therapeutic modalities currently available in treating MORN, emphasizing the significant advances achieved over the last decade. It introduces a contemporary staging and treatment algorithm which incorporates traditional, evidence-supported surgical and medical management with effective early intervention strategies.