Osteoradionecrosis of the mandible. Treatment with hyperbaric oxygen.

Hyperbaric oxygen used in the treatment of 14 patients with intractable osteonecrosis of the mandible produced a favorable response in relief of pain, elimination of extraoral draining sinus tracts, the return of osseous union in areas of the abnormal fracture, and the rapid dissolution of sequestrum without suppuration, so that further loss of hard and soft tissue was minimized. This treatment is a more conservative approach in the management of osteoradionecrosis.