Abstract
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to analyze the clinical application effect of the double-layer soft tissue closure technique (DLST) based on pedicled buccal fat pad in repairing maxillary defects after medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) surgery. METHODS: Ten patients with maxillary MRONJ were diagnosed and treated via DLST based on pedicled buccal fat pad. Partial maxillary resection was conducted to remove the MRONJ lesion, and the inflammatory soft tissue in the maxillary sinus cavity was removed but the maxillary sinus mucosa was retained. Patients also underwent resection of the lower segment of the sphenoid pterygoid process. A pedicled buccal fat pad was used to line the maxillary sinus floor and oral mucosa to achieve double-layer soft tissue closure of the wound. The characteristics of the medication for the primary disease, the clinical characteristics and imaging characteristics of osteonecrosis, the surgical treatment effects, pain score, and functional status evaluation of the 10 patients were all reviewed and analyzed. RESULTS: Among the 10 patients, there were 5 cases of breast cancer, 2 cases of lung cancer, 1 case of prostate cancer, 1 case of multiple myeloma, and 1 case of kidney cancer. All 10 patients received zoledronic acid, and the average time of application of zoledronic acid was 34 months. Six patients had upper jaw exposure, and 4 patients had gingival soft tissue fistula; the average time to clinical symptoms was 5.6 months. Among them, 5 patients had a history of tooth extraction, 3 patients with apical periodontitis, 1 patient with periodontitis, and 1 patient with spontaneous teeth loss. The lesions of 10 patients were all located in the maxillary posterior area. CT images can often show sequestration near the maxillary sinus floor, and the maxillary sinus cavity was full of soft tissue inflammation in most patients. During the follow-up period, 8 patients healed by the first intention, and the other patient had partial liquefaction of the buccal fat pad 2 weeks after the operation, and the oral mucosa fistula closed 1 month after the operation. In another patient, MRONJ symptoms recurred 2 months after the operation, and the surgical site occasionally swelled and discharged pus. The patient's symptoms were completely relieved after another operation. The patient's pain and functional status improved significantly after the operation. CONCLUSIONS: Maxillary MRONJ is commonly found in the posterior area. The buccal fat pad-based DLST is used to repair the defect after maxillary resection, which is beneficial to seal the oral-maxillary sinus fistula and improve the clinical symptoms of patients with MRONJ.