Transoral vs. extraoral approach in the treatment of condylar neck fractures.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess a non-endoscopic transoral versus extraoral technique in the open reduction and internal fixation of displaced or dislocated fractures of the condylar neck. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 104 patients, treated from 2007 to 2012 with 114 class II or class IV fractures according to Spiessl and Schroll were included in this study. Facial nerve function, scarring, pain and functional clinical parameters, such as protrusion, mediotrusion and maximum interincisal distance, were judged clinically (at 21 ± 12.1 months); repositioning and reossification were measured upon preoperative, postoperative and follow-up (at 8.8 ± 7 months) radiographs. Patient satisfaction was evaluated using the OHIP-G 14 questionnaire. RESULTS: In all, 36 patients (35%) with 43 fractures (38%) presented for clinical follow-up. Both treatment groups showed clinically and radiologically comparable results. Scarring was obvious in all extraorally treated patients, and hypertrophic scars occurred in four class IV cases (24%). One class IV patient (6%) had a persistent facial nerve palsy; temporary pareses were more frequent (n = 4; 24%). CONCLUSION: The transoral approach did not jeopardize facial nerve function, and extraoral scars were avoided. Repositioning and fixation results and the frequency of revision operations were comparable. The transoral approach can be recommended generally in class II and class IV cases.

Treatment of malar and midfacial fractures with osteoconductive forged unsintered hydroxyapatite and poly-L-lactide composite internal fixation devices.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the internal fixation of malar and midfacial fractures, long-term results, and biocompatibility of osteoconductive internal fixation devices composed of a forged composite of unsintered hydroxyapatite and poly-L-lactide (F-u-HA/PLLA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2006 to June 2010, 29 patients (24 males and 5 females; age 33 ± 15 years) were included in the present prospective study. The fracture type was malar in 24 patients, midfacial in 5, isolated orbital floor blowout in 2, and frontal sinus, cranial base in 2 patients. The fractures were fixed with internal fixation devices; these were plates and screws composed of F-u-HA/PLLA. The 24 patients with malar fractures were treated with a single 4-hole L-plate or a straight plate at the infrazygomatic crest. RESULTS: All fractures with internal fixation using devices composed of F-u-HA/PLLA healed well. All malar and midfacial fractures had satisfactory long-term stability. The follow-up examinations at 12 to 67 months after surgery showed that most patients had no complaints, although 2 patients (15%) had a foreign body reaction that was treated by implant removal, with complete symptom resolution. At 5 years after fracture fixation, 2 patients had ultrasound and 2 had radiographic evidence of residual material. An exemplar biopsy showed direct bone growth into the material. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with malar and midfacial fractures, hardware composed of the F-u-HA/PLLA composite provided reliable and satisfactory internal fixation, intraoperative handling, long-term stability, and biocompatibility. Direct bone growth into the material could be histopathologically exemplified, in contrast to previous polymer fixations that were resorbed and surrounded by a connective tissue layer. This finding indicates that long-term F-u-HA/PLLA residual material will be included into the remodeled bone, which was confirmed on long-term follow-up radiographs.

Severely scarred oronasal cleft defects in edentulous adults: initial data on the long-term outcome of telescoped obturator prostheses supported by zygomatic implants.

Objective : Prosthetic rehabilitation of edentulous patients presenting with severely scarred oronasal cleft defects. To document the outcome of telescopic obturator prostheses attached to zygomatic implants in edentulous cleft lip and palate patients. Patients and Methods : Four edentulous patients suffering from the consequences of cleft lip and palate were selected from a cohort of 52 patients who had received zygomatic implants between 1998 and 2010. Oronasal communication had persisted and severe scars and chronic infection were noted in the cleft region. Bone grafting procedures were contraindicated due to high risk for dehiscence. For the functional support of telescopic prostheses, nine zygomatic implants and two standard dental implants had been placed. Results : The zygomatic implants and the telescopic prostheses survived an average of 62 months (37 to 99 months) and were successful. Patients' satisfaction and oral function improved (on visual analog scale and oral health impact profile). Conclusions : Telescopic obturator dentures supported by zygomatic implants represent a feasible option for the prosthetic rehabilitation of cleft lip and palate patients with severe impairments of the edentulous ridges including atrophy, scar tissue, ridge defects, oronasal communication, and chronic infection in the cleft region.

Patient satisfaction after prosthetic rehabilitation of bone-grafted alveolar clefts with nonsubmerged ITI Straumann dental implants loaded at three months.

OBJECTIVE: To assess clinical, aesthetic, and quality-of-life parameters of cleft lip and palate patients' implant-supported crowns with ITI Straumann nonsubmerged and loaded after 3 months implants. PATIENTS, MATERIAL, AND METHODS: In 17 bone-grafted cleft patients, 24 implants were placed nonsubmerged, loaded at 3 months to support crowns in the cleft area, and followed up at 40 months on average (± 22 months). The oral-health-related quality of life was assessed in all patients with the German Oral Health Impact Profile after implant therapy. Aesthetics were judged on photographs by dental professionals, nonprofessionals, and the patients themselves. The Implant Crown Aesthetic Index served as an objective tool. RESULTS: A total of 23 implants (95.8%) were loaded and in function. Clinical parameters were marginal bone loss of 1.15 ± 2.16 mm, peri-implant probing depth of 2.56 ± 0.66 mm, width of keratinized mucosa of 2.71 ± 1.1 mm, mucosal recession of 0.41 ± 0.8 mm, Periotest value of 0.18 ± 6.5, and German Oral Health Impact Profile summary score of ≤ 2. The best aesthetic outcome was assessed by the patients themselves. Soft tissues were rated worse than were implant-supported crowns. CONCLUSIONS: Implant-borne prosthetic rehabilitation of bone-grafted clefts with nonsubmerged ITI Straumann implants with 3 months' loading represents a reliable treatment option with high success rates in the long term. Functional aspects are comparable to those of noncleft patients. The oral-health-related quality of life of cleft patients is similar to that of noncleft patients. Aesthetics are restricted but satisfactory to patients and dental professionals. Aesthetics of peri-implant soft tissues should be improved in the future.