What caused a patient's mouth to be exposed inside out?

Prolonged exposure to radiation therapy led to osteoradionecrosis, or jaw decay, resulting in an open wound on the patient's face and his mouth being exposed inside out.

What are the risks of exposed tissues after radiation therapy?

Exposed tissues, particularly a critical artery like the carotid artery, risk catastrophic bleeding that could result in death within minutes, along with infection and difficulty in surgical intervention due to fibrosis.

What are the warning signs of osteoradionecrosis after cancer treatment?

Warning signs include sores or ulcers on the gums, neck, or outer jaw, pain, swelling, infection, malocclusion, numbness, exposed bone inside the mouth, or bone protruding through the skin.

Home / Health / Radiation Patient's Mouth Exposed Inside Out

Radiation Patient's Mouth Exposed Inside Out

8 Feb

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Summary

Oral cancer patient's mouth was exposed inside out due to radiation.
Exposed carotid artery risked catastrophic, fatal bleeding.
Surgeons rebuilt jaw with free flap four weeks after stroke.

Radiation Patient's Mouth Exposed Inside Out

Radiation therapy, a common cancer treatment, can lead to severe complications. In a rare case, a 70-year-old oral cancer patient presented with his mouth "exposed inside out" due to prolonged radiation exposure, which caused osteoradionecrosis, or jaw decay.

The decay led to infection and an open wound on his face, creating an oro-cutaneous fistula. Critically, the patient's carotid artery became exposed through the wound, posing an immediate risk of fatal bleeding. Surgeons noted that the radiation had caused severe fibrosis, making the tissues extremely difficult to operate on.

Just weeks after suffering a stroke, the patient underwent a high-risk surgery. Surgeons reconstructed his jaw using an Anterolateral Thigh free flap. This urgent procedure was performed to prevent sudden death and improve his quality of life, highlighting the critical nature of managing such severe treatment side effects.