Intraoral Vacuum-Assisted Closure Therapy-A Pilot Study in Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw.

PURPOSE: For approximately 2 decades, vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) therapy has been widely used for the management of complex wounds and soft tissue defects on the external surface of the body. As yet, this technique has not been studied for intraoral wound management. Therefore, this study evaluated the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of intraoral VAC therapy in patients with medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ).

PATIENTS AND METHODS: After successful construction of an intraoral device providing sufficient airtight sealing, individually manufactured appliances were used in a prospective clinical trial of 3 patients using the VAC therapy system.

RESULTS: Intraoral VAC therapy showed some success and did not produce serious side effects. Different positive effects, such as formation of new granulation tissue, cessation of pain, and pus suppuration, were found.

CONCLUSION: This prospective proof-of-principle study showed that intraoral VAC therapy is feasible and safe. It could play a role in the management of MRONJ and other types of intraoral wounds (eg, osteoradionecrosis, postoperative wound dehiscence, etc).