The Hierarchy of Different Treatments for Arthrogenous Temporomandibular Disorders: A Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials Publication date: Available online 5 November 2019 Source: Journal of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery Author(s): Essam Ahmed Al-Moraissi, Larry M. Wolford, Edward Ellis, Andreas Neff Abstract Purpose Different treatment options for patients with arthrogenous Temporomandibular Disorders (TMDs) have been reported. However, evidence regarding the most effective intervention using network meta-analysis (NMA) has not been performed. Thus, we conducted a NMA of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) to identify the most effective treatment of arthrogenous TMDs with respect to pain reduction and improved mouth opening. Material and methods An electronic search on three major databases was undertaken to identify RCTs published before August 2019, comparing up to fourteen different treatments against control/placebo patients for arthrogenous TMDs with respect to pain reduction and improved mouth opening. The treatment variables were controls/placebo, conservative treatment (muscle exercises and occlusal splint therapy), occlusal splint therapy alone, intraarticular injection (IAI) of hyaluronic acid (HA) or corticosteroid (CS), arthrocentesis with or without HA, CS and platelet-rich plasma, (PRP), arthroscopy with or without HA and PRP, open joint surgery, and physiotherapy. Frequentist NMA was performed using STATA software. Studies meeting the inclusion criteria were divided according to the length of follow-up (short-term (≤5 months) and intermediate-term (> 6 months to 4 years) and type of TMJ arthrogenous disorders; internal derangement (ID) and TMJ osteoarthritis (OA). The standardized mean differences in post-treatment pain reduction and maximum mouth opening (MMO) were analyzed. Results Thirty-six RCTs were identified that performed comparative outcome assessments for pain and 33 RCTs for MMO. At the short term (≤5 months), IAI-HA (SMD = -2.8, CI: -3.7 to – 1.8, very low-quality evidence) and IAI-CS (SMD = -2.11, CI: -2.9 to – 1.2, very low-quality evidence) achieved a substantially greater pain reduction than control/placebo. At intermediate term (≥6 months), a statistically significant decrease in posttreatment pain intensity was observed following Arthroscopy-PRP (SMD = -3.5, CI: -6.2 to -0.82, very low-quality evidence), Arthrocentesis-PRP (SMD = -3.08, CI: -5.44 to -0.71, very low-quality evidence), Arthroscopy-HA (SMD = -3.01, CI: -5.8 to -0.12, very low quality evidence), TMJ surgery (SMD = -3, CI: -5.7 to -0.28, very low quality evidence), IAI-HA (SMD = -2.9, CI: -4.9 to -1.09, very low-quality evidence), Arthroscopy-alone (SMD = -2.6, CI: -5.1 to -0.07, low quality evidence) and Arthrocentesis-HA (SMD = -2.3, CI: -4.5 to -018, moderate-quality evidence) when compared to the control/placebo groups. Relative to MMO, the most effective treatments for short- and intermediate-term improvement were the arthroscopy procedures (PRP>HA>alone, all very low-quality evidence) followed by Arthrocentesis-PRP (very low-quality evidence) and arthrocentesis-HA (moderate-quality evidence). The non-invasive procedures of occlusal splint therapy, physical therapy, conservative therapy, placebo/control provided significantly lower quality outcomes relative to pain and MMO. Conclusion The results of the present metanalysis support a paradigm shift in arthrogenous TMJ disorder treatment. There is a new evidence (though on a very low to moderate quality level) that minimally invasive procedures, particularly in combination with IAI of adjuvant pharmacological agents (PRP, HA or CS), are significantly more effective than conservative treatments for both pain reduction and improvement of MMO in both short (≤5 months) and intermediate term (6 months to 4 years) periods. In contrast to traditional concepts mandating exhaustion of conservative treatment options, minimally invasive procedures, therefore, deserve to be implemented as efficient first-line treatments (e.g. IAIs and/or Arthrocentesis) or should be considered rather early, i.e. as soon as patients do not show a clear benefit from an initial conservative treatment.

Synovial chondromatosis of the temporomandibular joint with glenoid fossa erosion: Disk preservation for spontaneous anatomical recovery Publication date: Available online 23 October 2019 Source: Journal of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery Author(s): Maffia Francesco, Valentino Vellone, Chiara De Quarto, Runci Anastasi Michele, Piero Cascone Abstract Synovial chondromatosis (SC) of the temporomandibular joint is a pseudoneoplastic condition characterized by benign cartilaginous metaplasia of synovial tissue mesenchymal residues with intra-articular nodule formation. TMJ involvement is rare. Interposition of loose bodies in the articular space can generate pressure, leading to glenoid fossa erosion with intracranial extension. The aim of this study was to present six SC cases with intracranial extension treated using a surgical procedure. All the patients were treated with open surgery. The superior compartment of the TMJ was opened widely to carefully remove the metaplasic mass. Temporal synovectomy was then performed. Attention was paid to preserving the integrity of the articular disc. The exposed dura mater was also preserved. No material was used to reconstruct the gap in the glenoid fossa. A 1-year follow-up showed no swelling or pain. Patients demonstrated good recovery of mouth opening, with improvement over previous mouth limitations. Morphological studies, performed using MRI and CT, showed complete anatomical recovery of the TMJ and total bone reconstruction of the glenoid fossa. Simple removal of intra-articular nodules, with TMJ arthroplasty and articular disk preservation, represents an efficient treatment option for full anatomical and functional recovery in synovial chondromatosis of the temporomandibular joint with glenoid fossa erosion of less than 1 cm2.

The inverted-L ramus osteotomy versus sagittal split ramus osteotomy in maxillomandibular advancement for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea patients: A retrospective study Publication date: Available online 23 October 2019 Source: Journal of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery Author(s): Qionghui Wu, Yu Wang, Peng Wang, Zichao Xiang, Bin Ye, Jihua Li Abstract This study aimed to compare the effectiveness and feasibility of inverted-L osteotomy (ILO) and sagittal split ramus osteotomy (SSRO) on obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) treatment. According to different surgery procedures, 28 OSA patients who underwent maxillomandibular advancement (MMA) were divided into 2 groups (group A: ILO, n = 9; group B: SSRO, n = 19). Polysomnography (PSG) and Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) on T0, T1and T2 were used to evaluate the effectiveness of OSA treatments. Patients’ airway structures and facial appearances were also evaluated. From T0 to T1, the mean apnea-hypopnea index (AHI,/per hour) dropped from 69.2 ± 8.4 to11.2 ± 2.4 (P < 0.01) in group A and from 54.6 ± 14.6 to 9.4 ± 5.4 (P < 0.01) in group B; LSpO2 (lowest pulse oxygen saturation, %) increased from 66.5 ± 7.7% to 88.2 ± 4.6 (P < 0.01) and from 76.6 ± 10.7%to 89.4 ± 2.4% (P < 0.01) while the mean ESS score decreased by 51% in group A and 44% in group B. Most patients (group A: 88.9%; group B: 84.3%) were satisfied with their postoperative appearance. Mild relapse was observed in both groups on T2. This study concluded that MMA containing ILO and MMA containing SSRO are both feasible and effective for selected OSA patients.

Is the pure and impure distinction of orbital fractures clinically relevant with respect to ocular and periocular injuries? A retrospective study of 473 patients Publication date: Available online 18 October 2019 Source: Journal of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery Author(s): Zulma Catherine, Delphine S. Courvoisier, Paolo Scolozzi Abstract Objective To determine the association of “pure” orbital fractures (POF) and “impure” orbital fractures (IOF) with ocular and periocular injuries. Materials and methods A retrospective study of patients with orbital fractures was designed. The predictor variable was the orbital's fracture configuration (pure versus impure). The primary outcome variables were ocular and periocular injuries classified as mild, moderate, and severe. The secondary outcome was the need for surgical repair. Standard statistics for patient characteristics, the Fisher exact test for categorical variables, and the Mann–Whitney U test for continuous variables were computed to compare fractures. Results The sample was composed of 473 patients (220 POF and 253 IOF). No significant association between the two groups with regard to ocular and periocular injuries was found. Combined medial wall and floor fractures and naso-orbito-ethmoidal (NOE) fractures had the highest incidence of severe injury (34.5%, p = 0.02). Le Fort fractures were associated with moderate ocular and periocular injuries (36.4%, p = 0.01). Impure orbital fractures were more frequently associated with the need for surgical treatment (p = 0.04) than were POF. Conclusion The present study has demonstrated that the pure and impure distinction of orbital fractures was not clinically relevant with respect to ocular and periocular injuries. However, our findings seem to suggest that other parameters such as the direction of the impact and/or its magnitude, rather than merely the pure or impure configuration, could be involved in determining the risk of developing concomitant ocular and periocular injuries.

Neurophysiological changes and chronic pain in cleft patients Publication date: Available online 18 October 2019 Source: Journal of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery Author(s): Amely Hartmann, Claudia Welte-Jzyk, Bilal Al-Nawas, Monika Daubländer Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate if patients after orofacial cleft repair experience neurophysiological changes with consecutive chronic pain states after surgery. Patients (n = 48) with a repaired orofacial cleft (CLP) recruited in a support group took part in a survey including five questionnaires. They revealed pain states, described cleft situation and history, and epidemiological data. Patients' quality of life and psychological comorbidity after the surgical procedures were assessed with the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP), the Giessen Subjective Complaints List (GSCL) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Furthermore, psychosocial impairment was documented. 39 out of 48 subjects with CLP reported to have experienced pain during the last 6 months. Pain was proven to be already chronic for 36 persons. Locations of pain were the orofacial region, back and limbs. Neurophysiological perception to cold, warmth, pressure and touch were found to be inhomogeneous. Local disturbances of subjective sensitivity in hard and soft tissues in the operated region are suspicious for neuropathic disorders and peripheral and central sensitization. 16 participants also reported that during dental interventions higher doses of local analgesia were necessary to achieve a pain free condition. Overall participants with CLP demonstrated elevated levels for anxiety and depression. As a conclusion for daily routine, CLP patients are considered to be at a higher risk to develop chronic pain states. To avoid these, proper pain and psychological management must be performed from early childhood. Further clinical studies examining patients with neurophysiological diagnostic tools are needed.

Free thoracodorsal, perforator-scapular flap based on the angular artery (TDAP-Scap-aa): Clinical experiences and description of a novel technique for single flap reconstruction of extensive oromandibular defects Publication date: October 2019 Source: Journal of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, Volume 47, Issue 10 Author(s): Mauro Pau, Jürgen Wallner, Matthias Feichtinger, Michael Schwaiger, Jan Egger, Janos Cambiaso-Daniel, Raimund Winter, Norbert Jakse, Wolfgang Zemann Abstract Purpose The reconstruction of oromandibular defects can be challenging, particularly when considerable amounts of bone and soft tissues are lost. In such cases, the use of a single flap may be unsatisfactory and a concomitant free flap is needed. Here we present a chimeric, thoracodorsal perforator-scapular free flap based on the angular artery of the subscapular system (TDAP-Scap-aa) as an alternative technique for single flap reconstruction of extensive oromandibular defects. Materials and methods The authors studied patients who underwent reconstructions of extensive oromandibular defects with a TDAP-Scap-aa free flap. The operative technique and the clinical experiences are described. Postoperatively, surgical complications were classified with the Clavien-Dindo Classification. Results Five male patients (59.4 ± 8.8 years) were treated with the TDAP-Scap-aa. Average sizes for harvested hard and soft tissue components, which are both included in the flap and completely independently from each other, were 10.4 ± 1.5 cm of bone length, 2.6 ± 0.3 cm of bone height, 11.6 ± 4.8 cm of skin paddle length and 8.4 ± 1.7 cm of skin paddle width. The overall mean operation time (cut-suture) was 14.6 ± 0.9 h. The postoperative follow-up was 6 months. No complications requiring surgical treatment as well as donor site nerve damages were observed. Conclusions In comparison to other double free flaps, the TDAP-Scap-aa offers several advantages such as higher amounts of hard and soft tissues without prolonged operation times, and provides satisfying aesthetic outcomes and little donor site morbidity due to the preservation of muscle and nerve structures. Therefore, the TDAP-Scap-aa constitutes a clinically reliable alternative in extensive oromandibular defect reconstruction.

Radiological assessment of the lateral osteotomy line–lacrimal system distance on three-dimensional models Publication date: October 2019 Source: Journal of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, Volume 47, Issue 10 Author(s): Yücel Sarıaltın, Turgut Ortak, Cem Öz, Emel Kuş, Gülşah Uslu Yunusoğlu, Şevket Doğan, Meltem Çetin Abstract Aims One of the most commonly performed operations in aesthetic, plastic, and reconstructive surgery is rhinoplasty, the aim of which is to construct an altered nasal shape, either for aesthetic or functional reasons. The lateral osteotomy is the most traumatic step of rhinoplasty, and is generally difficult to perform. The lacrimal system can be damaged during the lateral osteotomy procedure. In this study, we aimed to measure the distance between the lacrimal system and the lateral osteotomy line, and to determine the safe and ideal osteotomy level, which is very important in rhinoplasty procedures. We also evaluated the safe relationship of this osteotomy level with the lacrimal system by constructing a three-dimensional model. Materials and methods The three-dimensional models were constructed on axial planes using paranasal computed tomographic (CT) images of 40 male and 40 female patients. The ‘lateral osteotomy model’ was designed in three dimensions. The axial CT images were obtained from the model. On the CT images, the distance between the lateral osteotomy line and the lacrimal system was assessed by measuring three distances. The first was the distance between the anterior lacrimal crest and the lateral osteotomy line. The second was the distance from the midpoint between the anterior lacrimal crest and the inferior meatus to the lateral osteotomy line. The third was the distance between the opening of the lacrimal canal to the inferior meatus and the lateral osteotomy line. Results No lacrimal system injury was seen on any of the models. The shortest distance was found between the anterior lacrimal crest and the lateral osteotomy line, measured at 4.5 mm and 5.0 mm in the female and male patients, respectively. Conclusion Performing the lateral osteotomy meticulously while paying attention to remaining anterior to the medial canthal ligament will not lead to any lacrimal system injury.

Fluorescence-guided bone resection: A histological analysis in medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw Publication date: October 2019 Source: Journal of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, Volume 47, Issue 10 Author(s): Falk Wehrhan, Manuel Weber, Friedrich W. Neukam, Carol-Immanuel Geppert, Marco Kesting, Raimund H.M. Preidl Abstract Purpose Surgical treatment of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) consists of necrotic bone removal followed by dense mucosal closure. Fluorescence-guided surgery has become a promising tool to intraoperatively distinguish between healthy and necrotic bone. Until now, there has been a lack of histopathological studies correlating the intraoperative fluorescence situation to histopathological analyses of the respective bone areas in order to further validate this method. Materials and methods Histopathological sections from intraoperatively detected fluorescence- and non−fluorescence-labeled bone were analyzed detecting osteocyte and collagen content, RANK(L) and TRAP expression as well as proportion of immature bone regeneration. Samples were compared with viable-looking bone areas according to the intraoperative clinical situation. Results Staining revealed a significant decrease of osteocytes and collagen type-I fibers in necrotic, non-fluorescing areas compared to fluorescing bone (R/RGB [%]: 0.56 ± 0.38 (fluorescence positive) vs. 3.18 ± 2.22 (fluorescence negative), p = 0.041). Furthermore, the number of osteocytes was higher in fluorescing, clinically viable bone samples (cell/mm2: 151.26 ± 95.77 (fluorescence positive) vs. 0.56 ± 0.38 (fluorescence negative), p = 0.028). Additionally, the amount of immature bone was substantially increased in luminescent jaw bone (proportion of red [%]: 6.78 ± 7.00 (fluorescence positive) vs. 2.24 ± 1.36 (fluorescence negative), p = 0.442). RANK(L) and TRAP expression did not differ between the investigated areas, resembling a generalized decrease in osteocyte−osteoclast function all over the jaw (RANK(L) −positive cells per mm2: 8.97 ± 7.85 (fluorescence positive) vs. 7.76 ± 6.41 (fluorescence negative), p = 0.793; TRAP-positive cells per mm2: 0.36 ± 0.38 (fluorescence positive) vs. 0.33 ± 0.41 (fluorescence negative), p = 0.887). Conclusion Intraoperative fluorescence-guided surgery might be more precise in identifying and resecting the necrotic bone compared to previous indicators like bone bleeding, which could be useful to further improve surgical therapy in MRONJ patients.

Targeting inhibitors of apoptosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma in vitro Publication date: October 2019 Source: Journal of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, Volume 47, Issue 10 Author(s): Mario J.J. Scheurer, Axel Seher, Valentin Steinacker, Christian Linz, Stefan Hartmann, Alexander C. Kübler, Urs D.A. Müller-Richter, Roman C. Brands Abstract Head and neck cancer, which predominantly arises from the oral mucosa, represents the sixth most common malignancy worldwide. These cancer cells can be resistant to programmed cell death triggered by extrinsic stimuli due to innate overexpression of inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs). The cellular protein second mitochondria-derived activator of caspases (SMAC) can antagonize IAP-induced caspase inhibition and thus trigger apoptosis. Here, we investigate the cell death-sensitizing effects of the SMAC mimetic LCL161 alone and in combination with Fas ligand (FasL) using a panel of six cell lines. Fas receptor (FasR) expression was analyzed by flow cytometry. Cells were treated with FasL and LCL161 alone or in combination, and cytotoxicity was measured using crystal violet assays. Annexin V and cell viability assays using zVAD-fmk and Necrostatin-1 (Nec-1) were carried out to assess the type of programmed cell death induced by LCL161. To demonstrate the sensitizing effects of LCL161, we employed the t-test to compare the effects of FasL alone and in combination with LCL161. Linear regression analysis was performed to determine initial and half maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC10 and IC50, respectively). Distinct FasR expression was detected in each cell line. Four of six cell lines were significantly sensitized to FasL by LCL161 (p < 0.05), and synergistic effects were observed (y < 1). Moreover, the initially resistant cell line SCC-25 was effectively sensitized to FasL by LCL161. Annexin V FACS analysis demonstrated apoptosis-sensitizing and apoptosis-inducing effects of LCL161 across all cell lines. Using specific cell death inhibitors (zVAD-fmk and Nec-1), we demonstrated that LCL161-initiated apoptosis could not be prevented, highlighting the proapoptotic potential of this mimetic in these cells. Our findings show the effectiveness of apoptotic sensitization of OSCC cells by LCL161 in combination with FasL, thus confirming the importance of an IAP-targeting therapeutic approach for oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Upregulation of ADAM10 in oral squamous cell carcinoma and its correlation with EGFR, neoangiogenesis and clinicopathologic factors Publication date: October 2019 Source: Journal of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, Volume 47, Issue 10 Author(s): Shahroo Etemad-Moghadam, Mojgan Alaeddini Abstract ADAM10 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase-10) is a known sheddase for EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) ligands and has been suggested to modulate angiogenesis. We aimed to evaluate the expression of ADAM10 in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and to determine its correlation with EGFR, CD105 and clinicopathologic parameters. Fifty primary OSCCs with clinical data were graded according to the histologic risk assessment (HRA) model and subjected to immunohistochemical staining using antibodies against ADAM10, EGFR1 and CD105. ADAM10 was assessed in both epithelial and stromal components. The associations among all three proteins and clinicopathologic factors including tumor size, lymph node status and distant metastasis (TNM) were statistically analyzed (P < 0.05). Epithelial-ADAM10, stromal-ADAM10 and EGFR were overexpressed in 92%, 40% and 56% of the OSCCs, respectively. EGFR expression occurred in peripheral and diffuse patterns, which were also separately considered in our analyses. A significant correlation was found between ADAM10 and CD105 (r = −0.455; P < 0.001). Lymphocytic infiltration scores (P = 0.04) and tumor size (P = 0.001) showed significant differences between EGFR+ and EGFR− tumors, but none of the other variables had any relationships with either clinicopathologic factors or each other (P > 0.05). ADAM10 was upregulated in OSCC but had no correlation with survival-associated factors such as TNM or the HRA model. At the protein level, epithelial ADAM10 negatively regulated neoangiogenesis, but its interaction with EGFR was minimal. Reduction in host immunologic responses was associated with a decrease in EGFR. These findings, if corroborated, could be interesting in combination therapies used for cancer treatment.