Antibiotic Prophylaxis Before Dental Procedures Can Reduce ONJ Incidence.

Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) is a frequent complication in bisphosphonate-treated multiple myeloma (MM) patients. The pathogenesis is unclear, and major risk factors are duration of bisphosphonate treatment and dental procedures. The histology of osteonecrotic bone shows osteomyelitis and inflammatory infiltrates, and, in most cases, presence of Actynomycetes. Since dental procedures are a major risk factor for ONJ development and oral microflora can be involved in the pathogenesis of the disease, we conducted a retrospective observational trial comparing ONJ occurrence and related risk factors in two groups of MM patients, who received zoledronic acid treatment at two Italian hematological centres. In one centre all patients systematically received as antibiotic prophylaxis amoxicillin-clavulanate 1 gm bid or levofloxacin 500 mg once a day starting from one day before to 3 days after any dental procedure (group A, 52 patients), while in the other centre patients did not receive any prophylaxis (group B, 61 patients). Dental procedures were categorized according to their invasivity and their supposed probability to cause ONJ. Extractions, implants, and professional cleanings were considered at high risk, while fillings were considered low risk procedures. Thirty-three group A patients (63%) and 32 group B patients (52%) received high risk procedures; 4 group A patients (8%) and 5 group B patients (8%) received low risk procedures, while 15 (29%) and 24 (39%) patients, respectively, had a denture. The duration of zoledronic acid exposure differed significantly between the two groups, with a median of 26 months for A patients and 12 months for B patients (p