Reconstruction using a facial artery musculomucosal flap technique after removal of necrotic bone in the anterior areas in medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw: A technical note

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of 7 patients with stage 2 or 3 medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) in an anterior area who were treated using a facial artery musculomucosal (FAMM) flap after necrotic-bone removal. Superiorly based FAMM flaps were used for maxillary defects in 4 patients while inferiorly based FAMM flaps were used for mandibular defects in 3 patients. Successful wound healing was defined as maintenance of full mucosal coverage without signs of infection at 6 months postoperatively. The follow-up periods ranged from 7 to 27 months (average: 16.8 months). Wound healing during the follow-up period was successful in all patients (100 % success rate). Despite the limited number of cases, our experience shows that a FAMM flap is an effective surgical option for well-vascularized wound-healing of exposed bone in patients with stage 2 or stage 3 MRONJ in anterior areas of the jaw.

Automated summary

The study evaluated the use of facial artery musculomucosal (FAMM) flap for treating medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) in the anterior area. Successful wound healing was achieved in all patients with stage 2 or 3 MRONJ after 6 months of follow-up. The study suggests that FAMM flap is an effective surgical option for well-vascularized wound healing in these patients.