Intraoral Stent for Head and Neck Radiotherapy
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32635/2176-9745.RBC.2026v72n3.5476Keywords:
Head and Neck Neoplasms/drug therapy, Radiotherapy/adverse effects, Palate/surgery, Radiation Protection/instrumentationAbstract
Introduction: Intraoral stents are devices applied to minimize the adverse effects of radiotherapy for head and neck tumors. This study aimed to report the use of the intraoral stent in two cases of palate tumor, treated with surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy. Case report: The first case refers to a 26-year-old man with mucoepidermoid carcinoma; the second case is a 55-year-old woman with cystic adenoid carcinoma. Before radiotherapy, an intraoral stent was made for both patients, composed of two acetate plates (upper/lower) and, in the lower, a plateau to down-grade and stabilize the tongue was made. Two columns of acrylic resin were used as constant height occlusal stops. The device was used during planning computer tomography and in all treatment sessions of radiotherapy. The plans were evaluated for medium doses, and low doses were observed in the mandible and parotid glands. Oral mucositis lesions were restricted to the region of the tumor, with maximum grades 2 and 3, respectively, only in the last 10 fractions of radiotherapy. After more than five years of follow-up, none of the patients were diagnosed with chronic toxicities associated with radiotherapy, such as xerostomia or osteoradionecrosis. Conclusions: These devices highlight the relevance of interdisciplinary planning and directly contribute to a better quality of life during and after radiotherapy for patients with tumors of the palate.
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