Non-union of mandibulotomy sites following irradiation for squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity

Mandibulotomy improves surgical access to the oral cavity for the resection of tumours. Non-union of the mandibulotomy due to osteoradionecrosis has been observed in five patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma, all of whom had radiotherapy either as the primary modality of treatment or for tumour recurrence. This paper reports this series of patients, discusses their management and highlights the risk factors for the development of osteoradionecrosis.