Clinical outcomes of teeth adjacent to the site of mandibulotomy or mandibulectomy in patients with head and neck cancer: results from a multidisciplinary mono-institutional head and neck tumor board

Abstract

Abstract Introduction The aim of this case series was to evaluate the necrosis of teeth adjacent to the site of mandibulotomy or mandibulectomy in a cohort of patients suffering from head and neck cancers. Methods Fourteen patients who underwent segmental mandibulectomy or paramedian mandibulotomy for oral, oropharynx or major salivary gland cancer and a total of 23 teeth were included in this case series. Twelve patients underwent adjuvant head and neck radiotherapy. Cold sensitivity pulp testing and/or electric pulp testing were performed on teeth at the margin of mandibulectomy and on teeth adjacent to mandibulotomy after surgery. A “positive” response was considered the healthy state, and “negative” was considered the diseased state of the tooth. Results The 10 patients who underwent mandibulotomy had 12 teeth with a negative response. The 4 patients treated by mandibulectomy had two positive and three negative responses to cold and electric pulp tests. Fifteen out of 23 teeth (65.2%) showed a negative response to sensitivity testing. Conclusions Tooth necrosis seems to be a common event after mandibulectomy and mandibulotomy. Clinical Relevance To avoid post-surgery complications, performing root canal therapy before surgery on the teeth adjacent to the surgical site could be an appropriate strategy.