Surgical treatment of stage 2 medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw compared to osteomyelitis

Objective: To compare the characteristics and outcomes of patients who underwent surgical treatment for stage 2 medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) versus osteomyelitis.

Methods: This retrospective study compared the following variables in 73 patients with stage 2 MRONJ versus 89 patients with osteomyelitis: impaired wound healing after surgery, sex, age, the presence of actinomycosis, location of the jaw lesion, and involvement of the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN).

Results: There were significant differences between the groups in age, sex, rates of impaired wound healing, actinomycosis, and the location (anterior/posterior) of the lesion. Impaired wound healing after surgical treatment in the stage 2 MRONJ group was associated with patient age. All patients with impaired wound healing after the initial surgery recovered fully after reoperation.

Conclusions: These findings for surgical treatment of stage 2 MRONJ may help clinicians plan surgical treatment of MRONJ.