Healing of a soft tissue wound of the neck and jaw osteoradionecrosis using platelet gel

Abstract

Aim: Bone osteoradionecrosis is a serious complication of radiation treatment. Current treatment approaches are not curative and treatment response is often poor leading to high social and healthcare costs.

Case report: We report on the first case of osteoradionecrosis with successful restitutio ab integro by repeated administration of platelet gel (PLT-gel) and surgery in a critically ill patient. The administration of PLT-gel during a severe septic episode helped regeneration of bone and soft tissues, shortening the hospital stay of the patient. It was also noted that following applications of PLT-gel, both the use of morphine and the numbers of infective episodes were reduced.

Conclusion: Additional studies are needed to confirm the promising effect of PLT-gel for the treatment of osteoradionecrosis.

Keywords: plastic surgery; platelet gel; platelet-rich plasma; radiodermatitis.