Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw: An institution’s experience

ABSTRACT

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate and report the outcomes associated with the management of patients who were treated surgically for medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ).Methods: Demographic and medical profiles of patients with a diagnosis of MRONJ were created. The type of surgical treatment, complications, and treatment outcomes were identified.Results: Twenty-one patients with an average age of 68.42 years (range 40–90 years) were included. Nineteen patients had only mandible involvement, one patient had only maxilla involvement, and one patient had both mandible and maxilla involvement. Thirteen patients underwent marginal resections. Eight patients underwent segmental resection of the mandible with immediate reconstruction. Nineteen patients healed without any complications. Two patients who had undergone segmental resection of the mandible experienced postoperative complications and needed a second surgery to achieve primary closure.Discussion: Advanced MRONJ can effectively be treated with resective surgery in combination with medical treatment.

KEYWORDS:

• Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw
• osteonecrosis
• surgical treatment
• resection
• bisphosphonates
• RANKL inhibitors

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge Janice Jun for her scientific assistance in improving this manuscript.

Disclosure of Interest

Dr. Baur is a paid consultant for Novartis Pharmaceuticals and Checkpoint Surgical LLC. Dr. Altay provided consultancy for Checkpoint Surgical LLC in 2014. All other authors report no conflicts of interest.

Disclaimer

The views expressed in the submitted article are the authors’ own and not an official position of the institution.