Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

The application of the Marx Protocol for ORN and oral surgery/dental extraction through hyperbaric medicine results in a success rate exceeding 95 percent. This approach encompasses stages 1 to 3, each tailored to the severity of the condition:

• Stage I ORN/Extraction: Patients with exposed bone and minimal manifestations undergo 30 hyperbaric oxygen treatments, potentially followed by 10 additional treatments if progress is observed.

• ORN Stage II: Surgical debridement is combined with 30 hyperbaric oxygen treatments, followed by 10 post-operative sessions. The goal is to maintain mandibular continuity.

• ORN Stage III: Patients without mandibular continuity undergo a reconstructive approach involving mandibular resection and planned reconstruction. They receive 30 hyperbaric oxygen treatments before resection, followed by 10 sessions after resection.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy offers numerous benefits to head and neck cancer patients with a history of radiation therapy, including improved blood vessel density, accelerated ORN healing, increased tissue viability before oral surgery, prevention of mandibular necrosis from dental extraction, pain relief, restoration of function, and support for dental appliances if needed. It also preserves the mucosa and skin over the bone to prevent chronic wounds and infections.

Individuals undergoing radiation therapy in the head or neck should consult with Dr. Daylis De Andrade of Biohax Dental in Miami before undergoing invasive dental procedures. Hyperbaric oxygen treatment is usually fully covered by all insurance providers for both pre-operative and post-operative care, including dental extractions. You can call us for more information, and we can check if your plan covers this type of treatment.