The effect of combined application of pentoxifylline and vitamin E for the treatment of osteoradionecrosis of the jaws: a meta-analysis

Zhang Z, Xiao W, Jia J, Chen Y, Zong C, Zhao L, Tian L

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of combined application of pentoxifylline and vitamin E (PENTO) for the treatment of osteoradionecrosis of the jaws (ORNJ) by performing a meta-analysis.

STUDY DESIGN:

We searched for trials in 4 electronic databases (PubMed, Cochrane library, EMbase, and Web of Science) for studies that compared the effect of PENTO with those of other treatment methods. The range of exposed bone was chosen as the index to assess the effects of the different treatment methods. We performed the meta-analysis by using Review Manager 5.3.

RESULTS:

We identified 5 trials, which included 184 patients in the PENTO group and 180 patients in the “other treatment methods” (OTHER) group, and we performed a meta-analysis by using the random effect model. PENTO had a better effect compared with all the other treatment methods, and a statistically significant difference was noted (odds ratio [OR] = 4.54; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.89-7.12; P < .01). PENTO was statistically different from antibiotics (OR = 7.02; 95% CI 1.33-37.01; P < .05) and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (OR = 20.06; 95% CI 1.74-230.78; P < .05) in terms of treatment effect. However, we could not confirm that PENTO was more effective than local surgery (OR = 6.50; 95% CI 0.80-53.09; P < .1).

CONCLUSIONS:

The results of this meta-analysis suggest that the application of PENTO for the treatment of ORNJ shows superior efficiency relative to the other treatment methods.

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