Hyperbaric oxygen therapy with subtotal extirpation surgery in the management of radionecrosis of the mandible.

Radiation-induced obliterative endarteritis causes ischemia and hypoxia in tissue wounds, making them prone to dehiscence, infection and delayed healing. The successful use of hyperbaric oxygen as an adjunct to intensive antibiotic and surgical therapy in the treatment of radionecrosis of the mandible is well established. This report details our experience in four cases of radionecrosis of the mandible of long duration, prior to acceptance of the patients into our hyperbaric oxygen protocol.