Oral surgery in patients receiving intravenous bisphosphonate drugs: Review of literature and case report [La chirurgia orale in pazienti che assumono bisfosfonati per via endovenosa: Analisi della letteratura e caso clinico]

Objectives: The purpose of this case report is to illustrate the consequences of dental surgi- cal extractions in patients who are receiving or have received IV bisphosphonate. Materials and methods: A 52-year old man suf- fering from multiple myeloma was treated with Zometa for one year. At the end of the therapy he underwent some surgical extractions that caused two areas of mandibular osteonecrosis after a few months. The authors obtained the patient’s informed consent to report his medical data and pictures. Results: The two necrotic areas were treated in different ways and the treatments are still in progress. After 5 months, a slight improvement has been observed in the exposed bone areas. Conclusion: In the management of the osteo- necrosis of the jaw it is important to assess the cost-benefit ratio, trying to improve health expectations and perspectives in a patient who is already affected by a systemic disease.