Histologic Improvements in Irradiated Bone Through Pharmaceutical Intervention in Mandibular Distraction Osteogenesis.

Purpose: Despite the relative surgical ease and reduced donor-site morbidity of distraction osteogenesis (DO) in comparison with free tissue transfer, DO is currently precluded as a reconstructive option for head and neck cancer (HNC) patients because of the destructive effects of radiotherapy (XRT). This study investigates the ability of a novel combined therapy (CT) of radioprotective amifostine (AMF) and angiogenic deferoxamine (DFO) to mitigate XRT-induced bone injury in a murine model of DO.

Materials And Methods: Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 5 groups: DO (primary control), XRT (secondary control), AMF, DFO, and CT.