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Mandibular osteoradionecrosis (ORN) is one of the most serious complications of radiotherapy of the head and neck, and is characterised by hypoxia, hypovascularisation, and hypocellularity. Periosteal free flaps have intrinsic osteogenic, and extrinsic neoangiogenic, properties that are related to the periosteum. Our objective was to present our experience with the use of periosteal free flaps in the treatment of ORN (Notani class I or II) that are refractory to conservative management or have a large area of bone (≥2 cm) exposed. We organised a single-centre, retrospective study between 2003 and 2013 and describe the management of 11 patients (4 women and 7 men) who were being treated for refractory mandibular ORN. Thirteen periosteal free flaps were used: inner femoral condylar periosteum (n = 4), iliac crest (n = 1), external brachial with humeral periosteum (n = 1), and forearm with radial periosteum (n = 7). During follow-up we found three acute complications (haematoma, partial necrosis, and total vascular necrosis) that required immediate construction of a second periosteal free flap. There were also two chronic complications (fistula and post-traumatic fracture). With only one progressive lesion identified, the ORN was stopped in 11/12 patients. Two examples of osteoconduction were identified on postoperative images at six months and two years. Because of its osteoconductive and neoangiogenic capacities, the periosteal free flap seems to offer a real biological dimension to the treatment of ORN, and its efficiency favours its early revascularisation., (Copyright © 2019 The British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: The vascularized periosteal free flap transposes a non-irradiated soft tissue with neo-angiogenesis, bone induction, and osteogenesis qualities. Its technique and interest are studied for early osteoradionecrosis., Material and Method: A retrospective study was made between 1992 and 2002. Thirty-four patients were selected among the 59 cases operated for osteoradionecrosis; all patients were classified stage II and I on the Epstein scale. Twenty-six patients were reconstructed using a non-periosteum free flap (bone, muscular or cutaneous flap), and eight patients were reconstructed using a "periosteum free flap". The study was clinical, radiological, and histological., Results: Osteoradionecrosis evolved for two of the eight patients having undergone periosteum free flap surgery. Operative morbidity and the number of reoperation were less important than for the rest of the series. The reconstruction was satisfactory on a functional and esthetic level. A bone production was noted for two patients of the "periosteum" group., Discussion: Periosteum free flap surgery is an alternative for early osteoradionecrosis. The periosteum brings osteo-induction and osteogenesis, and revascularization recorded clinically, radiologically, and histologically, even on an irradiated area.

Introduction: The severe evolution for some patient presenting with osteoradionecrosis, even if classified in the same stages as other patients, suggests that there are aggravating factors., Material and Method: A retrospective study was made between 1992 and 2002 on all patient operated for mandibular osteoradionecrosis. Fifty-nine patients were included and the mandibular defects were reconstructed with a bone or a composite free flap (fibula 21%, iliac crest 49%, scapula 6%, antebrachial 3%), and with a periosteal free flap (13%)., Results: The study included severe cases (87% of stage II or III) operated on several times without success. Free flap reconstruction was successful in 90% of the cases. However, complications were present in 60% of cases (24% minor complications, 48% major complications), and were more frequent with a higher stage. The analysis allowed identifying morbidity factors., Discussion: Studying the morbidity allowed identifying severity factors of osteoradionecrosis; spontaneous onset, important irradiation (important dose, bone proximity of the tumor, bilateral damage), vascular damage (symphyseal localization, lack of sequestrum, facial artery ligature, active tobacco addiction), actinomycosis colonization, non-observance of medical treatment. Understanding aggravating factors should allow us to offer more efficient surgery on an early osteoradionecrosis stage, also decreasing the morbidity linked to reconstructive surgery.

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Copyright of Revue de Stomatologie & de Chirurgie Maxillo-Faciale is the property of Masson SPA and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)