Case report of maxillofacial fracture in a patient under bisphosphonates in the absence of ONJ disease: Guidelines?

INTRODUCTION: Inspired by the presented case, this paper investigates treatment options for patients under active bisphosphonate therapy, suffering from a traumatic fracture in the absence of MRONJ (patients classified as ‘at risk’). We review literature in search of standardized protocols and in combination. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 75-year-old woman, suffering from osteoporosis for over a decade and being treated with alendronate for about 10 years, stumbled and fell and ended up with a displaced fracture on the right side of her extremely atrophied mandible. Under general anesthesia, using a limited submandibular approach with minimal reflecting of the periosteum, an external fixation device was placed. The patient recovered well from surgery and was discharged after 2 days. Long term follow-up shows good healing with a mouth opening of 46 mm in the absence of any sensory of functional deficits. DISCUSSION: We conclude from our literature review that there are no clear guidelines regarding fixation of traumatic (non-pathologic) maxillofacial fractures in patients under active antiresorptive therapy. Literature suggests that damaging the periosteum needs to be avoided since this would endanger the already fragile blood supply in the area. This could make an intra-oral approach unfavourable. CONCLUSION: We prefer an extra-oral approach whenever possible. The choice between the use of supraperiostally placed locking reconstruction plates or external fixation should be based on the overall medical condition of the patient, the regional osseous anatomy and the specific fracture morphology.