Use of Phototherapy and Er-YAG Laser in the Management of Mandible Osteoradionecrosis: A Case Report

de Freitas, L.C., Kawamoto, E.L., Souza, A.M.A., Kawakami, P.Y., Gonçalves, A.S. & Azevedo, L.H.
Journal of lasers in medical sciences, 14, p.e58. 2023.

Introduction:

Osteoradionecrosis (ORN) is a secondary complication from radiotherapy, which is difficult to manage and significantly reduces the life quality of the affected patients.

Case Report:

A 59-year-old female patient, diagnosed with infiltration by squamous cell carcinoma in the left cervical region, underwent adjuvant cervical-facial radiotherapy with a total dose of 66.6 Gy of radiation. Eight years after the diagnosis, the patient underwent multiple extractions and, subsequently, the installation of osseointegrated implants, evolving to extensive intraoral bone exposure associated with oral cutaneous fistula. The patient was initially exposed to photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT), with a low-power laser at wavelengths of 660 nm and 808 nm, and thereafter to antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT). After an improvement in the clinical condition and resolution of the oral cutaneous fistula, a surgical procedure with the Er: YAG laser was performed to remove the remaining necrotic bone. Once the ORN condition was completely treated, the patient’s oral rehabilitation was implemented by the installation of an upper mucous-supported total prosthesis and a lower implant-supported prosthesis.

Conclusion:

The patient is in a clinical follow-up and has no signs of bone necrosis recurrence, suggesting that low and high-power laser treatment can be an effective therapeutic alternative to resolve this condition. Keywords: Osteoradionecrosis of the jaws, Low intensity light therapy, Er-YAG laser, High power laser, Drug-related osteonecrosis of the jaws, Implant Dentistry

Use of Phototherapy and Er-YAG Laser in the Management of Mandible Osteoradionecrosis: A Case Report