In a cohort of 144 patients treated for oral carcinomas in the years of 1997–2003 at the Clinic of Oral, Jaw and Facial Surgery, Medical Faculty, Palacky University and Faculty Hospital in Olomouc, the authors recorded 15 cases of osteoradionecroses (11%). The radiotherapy of these patients employed Co 60 at the dose of 54–77 Gy (eight patients) and X-ray radiation at a total dose of 56–73 Gy (seven patients). Most of the patients were affected by carcinomas of oral floor and alveolar processus of mandible (10 patients). Conservative therapeutic procedures (lavages of fistulas and bone defects, systemic administration of antibiotics) were successful in four patients. The remaining 7 patients were subjected to surgical therapy, which was based on excisions of skin fistulas, egalization, or resection of necrotic parts of lower jaw. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy was used in 10 patients.

        Key words: osteoradionecrosis – therapy – prevention