Analysis of condylar positioning in the temporomandibular joint following mandibular reconstruction: Introduction of a new classification system and assessment of influencing factors on displacement.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigates the unsatisfactory outcomes observed in mandibular reconstruction procedures attributed to improper condylar positioning in the Temporomandibular Joint. It also proposes a systematic classification for post-reconstruction condylar positioning dissatisfaction. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 337 patients who underwent tumor removal and mandibular reconstruction with vascularized osteocutaneous flaps. Reconstruction techniques included conventional surgery (43.3%) and 3D technology-guided procedures (56.7%). Evaluation utilized preoperative and postoperative CT scans to assess mandibular vertical ramus length (V) and condylar alignment in both sagittal (S) and coronal (C) planes. Accordingly, a classification system for condylar positioning was developed and abbreviated as VSC. It includes four classes: Class I, proper condylar reconstruction; Class II, short ramus length; Class III, one or two aspects of sagittal/coronal condylar positions dissatisfaction; and Class IV, two or three aspects dissatisfaction. RESULTS: The overall success rate for condylar reconstruction was 85.16%. Though not statistically significant, the success rate was marginally higher in the 3D-assisted group (85.86%) compared to the conventional group (84.25%). In terms of the VSC classification, the distribution of cases across Class I, II, III, and IV were 287, 4, 9, and 37 cases, respectively. Notably, condylar dislocation was significantly associated with the defect site, particularly the body and condyle (p < 0.001, OR = 49.734, 95% CI 12.995-190.342), and the number of reconstructed segments (p = 0.025, OR = 3.480, 95% CI 1.173-10.328). CONCLUSION: The findings highlight the importance of accurate reconstruction methods and reveal implications of the defect site and the number of reconstructed segments in condylar dislocation. Consequently, we propose a classification system to refine condylar positioning assessment and enhance surgical outcomes in mandibular reconstruction.

Evaluation of Postoperative Outcomes in Two Cleft Palate Repair Techniques without Relaxing Incisions.

BACKGROUND: A modified palatoplasty was established by incorporating the designs of both Sommerlad and Furlow techniques in addition to a novel incision on the medial pterygoid plate's surface, named the Sommerlad-Furlow modified technique. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the clinical and functional outcomes of the Sommerlad-Furlow modified technique against an accepted standard, the Furlow technique. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted for 212 consecutive nonsyndromic cleft palate patients who underwent Sommerlad-Furlow ( n = 106) and Furlow ( n = 106) repairs without relaxing incision on the hard palate between 2011 and 2016. The success of surgical procedures was estimated by the rate of postoperative fistula, speech outcomes, and velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI)-related quality of life. The demographic and surgical data, including sex, age, cleft type, cleft width, and follow-up period were recorded. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the two treatment groups regarding demographic and surgical data, except the cleft width ( P < 0.001). The incidence of the fistula was 7.5% and 6.6% after the Sommerlad-Furlow and Furlow procedures, respectively. The two groups showed no significant differences in speech outcomes, and adequate velopharyngeal function was found in 84% and 82.1% in Sommerlad-Furlow and Furlow procedures, respectively. Besides, the rate of severe VPI was slightly lower in Sommerlad-Furlow (0.9%) than in Furlow (2.8%) procedures. Moreover, an adequate VPI-related quality of life was found in 80.4% of the Sommerlad-Furlow group and 78.6% of the Furlow group. CONCLUSION: The Sommerlad-Furlow technique has obtained acceptable postoperative outcomes and could be a choice for cleft palate repair, especially in wider clefts. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, III.

Cupid's Bow Leveling and Preservation of Lip Height and Width: A Modified Rotation-Advancement Technique.

BACKGROUND: Several methods for cleft lip repair have been developed over time, with no clear method considered the standard. In the authors' department, the use of a modified rotation-advancement technique rather than the traditional rotation-advancement technique in unilateral complete cleft lip repair has increased over the past decade. This study aimed to determine which technique provides better outcomes. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted by analyzing the preoperative and postoperative aesthetic nasal and labial anthropometric measurements of the frontal and basal views of 213 consecutive patients treated between October of 2013 and June of 2019. A total of 141 participants were treated with the traditional rotation-advancement technique, and 72 with the modified rotation-advancement technique. The inclusion criteria were nonsyndromic unilateral complete cleft lip repair with high-resolution, good-quality photographs; no presurgical nasoalveolar molding; no revision in the lip or nose areas; and at least 1 year of follow-up. RESULT: Patients who received the modified rotation-advancement technique had significantly improved Cupid's bow position and orientation ( P < 0.02 and P < 0.01, respectively) and enhanced vertical lip height symmetry ( P < 0.01) while preserving the lip width. The columellar length ( P < 0.03) and angulation ( P < 0.045) were also significantly improved, with enhanced nostril inclination in this group ( P < 0.06). CONCLUSIONS: According to the findings of the current study, modified rotation-advancement technique assisted surgeons in improving symmetrical leveling of the Cupid's bow and significantly aided in correcting lip height without compromising lip width. Moreover, the modified rotation-advancement technique resulted in better aesthetic nasal outcomes. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, III.

Immediate implant placement with simultaneous bone augmentation versus delayed implant placement following alveolar ridge preservation: A clinical and radiographic study.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes of immediate implant placement (IIP) with guided bone regeneration (GBR) as compared to delayed implant placement (DIP) following alveolar ridge preservation (ARP) and to identify the potential risk factors influencing these outcomes. METHODOLOGY: A total of 56 patients (IIP = 28 vs. DIP = 28) with class I or II bony defects received 56 implants were included. GBR procedure using Bio-Oss® bone substitute mixed with advanced platelet-rich fibrin (A-PRF) and covered by Bio-Gide® membrane and additional A-PRF membrane was performed either simultaneously with the IIP or earlier at the time of ARP in DIP. Clinical and 3-D radiographic analyses of bone level, thickness, and density were performed at three-time intervals (T1, immediately; T2, 6-7 months; and T3, 1.5 to 2 years post-implantation), corresponding to the neck, coronal, middle, and apex of implants. RESULTS: The survival rate was 100% in both groups. IIP showed significant favorable outcomes regarding distal marginal bone level (anterior maxilla, T1-T3) and neck and coronal horizontal facial bone thickness (HFBT) (posterior maxilla, T1; and anterior maxilla, T1-T3, respectively) compared to DIP. However, DIP showed significant facial bone density at the neck and coronal parts in the anterior maxilla (T1) and the coronal part in the posterior maxilla (T3). The facial marginal bone level change was positively correlated with HFBT change (P = 0.007), which is negatively correlated with the secondary implant stability (P = 0.019). The implant region (anterior or posterior maxilla) was the only factor affecting on Implant stability quotient value (ISQ) and change in HFBT (P Ë‚ 0.05). CONCLUSION: Overall, the IIP combined with GBR in the post-extraction sites with pre-implant class I or II bony defects had some favorable outcomes compared to DIP after ARP. However, the clinical outcomes, ISQ value, and changes in bone level, thickness, and density from T1-T3 were comparable.

The Necessity of Nostril Retention Application After Secondary Unilateral Cleft Rhinoplasty.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to investigate the necessity of nostril retention after secondary unilateral cleft rhinoplasty. METHODS: Seventy four patients who underwent secondary unilateral cleft rhinoplasty were categorized into control group, nasal retainer group, and nasal clip group. A nasal retainer or nasal clip was applied 7 days after secondary correction and retained in the nostrils of the patients for 6 to 12 months. Measurements from pre- and post-operative photos and patient-reported outcomes were used in this study. RESULTS: After 6 to 12 months, although relapse still occurred in three groups, the nasal retainer group showed a better effect in the ratio of nostril height, whereas the nasal clip group showed a significant improvement in the ratio of nasal base. And both the two groups also showed significant improvement in the ratio of nasal columella. Patients from the control group generally had lower Derriford Appearance Scale (DAS) scores than the nasal retainer group and nasal clip group. Wearing a nasal retainer may negatively influence self-concept, facial self-consciousness of appearance and physical state, and significant differences in mean scores were also found in 9 items. CONCLUSIONS: The nostril retention after secondary unilateral cleft rhinoplasty could help preserve nasal morphology and reduce postoperative relapse but worsen the patients' quality of life. The necessity of applying the nostril retention should consider the forms of nasal deformity and the potential influence on the quality of life. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 Laryngoscope, 133:1618-1623, 2023.

Tridimensional Analysis of Incisive Canal and Upper Central Incisor Approximation.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to estimate the location of the incisive canal (IC) concerning the upper central incisor roots (U1) in order to explore the amount of incisor retraction as per the envelope of discrepancy amongst Chinese patients with different vertical facial growth patterns. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study that used a total of 207 pretreatment cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans of adults with a skeletal class I relationship. Sixty-nine cases were included in each of the normodivergent, hypodivergent, and hyperdivergent facial groups. The IC volume was measured using Mimics 21 software. The IC width and IC-U1 proximity were measured using in vivo 6 software. Linear measurements were conducted at 3 vertical levels. RESULTS: The IC has shown a larger volume in the hyperdivergent group and male patients. Overall, the IC has recorded linear width greater than the inter-root distance of U1 in 59.1%, 66%, and 68.8% amongst the normodivergent, hypodivergent, and hyperdivergent facial groups, respectively, and in 58.3% of males and 70.8% of females. The overall sagittal distances between the U1 and IC were 4.00 ± 0.82 mm, 4.60 ± 0.83 mm, and 3.60 ± 0.80 mm amongst the normodivergent, hypodivergent, and hyperdivergent facial groups, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The maximum sagittal distances between U1 and IC were 4.8 mm, 5.4 mm, and 4.4 mm amongst the normodivergent, hypodivergent, and hyperdivergent facial groups, respectively. Thereby, our findings have revised the retraction aspect of the envelope of discrepancy as per the different vertical facial growth patterns, which could serve a reference for the clinical practice involved considerable incisors movement, especially among Chinese patients.

Self-Consciousness of Appearance in Chinese Patients With Cleft Lip: Validation of the Chinese Derriford Appearance Scale 59 (DAS 59) Instrument.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a reliable and valid Chinese version of the Derriford Appearance Scale 59 (DAS 59) instrument for assessing the self-consciousness of appearance in Chinese patients with cleft lip. METHODS: The original DAS 59 instrument was translated into Mandarin, back-translated, and culturally adapted among the Chinese population, following the protocol of the original DAS 59. The validation of the Chinese DAS 59 instrument was estimated on 443 adult participants including 213 subjects with a history of cleft lip with/without palate (CL/P, study group) and 230 normal subjects without facial appearance concern (control group). The reliability was estimated by Cronbach's α coefficient and Guttman's split-half coefficient. Content validity was tested using the Spearman correlation coefficient, while discriminant validity was tested by the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: The overall internal consistency of Chinese DAS 59 was excellent; Cronbach's α was 0.951 (α = 0.965 and 0.959 in the study and control groups, respectively). Further, Guttman's split-half coefficient was excellent in the study group (0.935) and control group (0.901). The validity of content was good with an acceptable correlation between all the items and domains. The construct validity through the discrimination was good with a statistically significant difference in most domains between the two groups. Patients with CL/P had more concern about the general self-consciousness and social self-consciousness of appearance. They also showed a good self-concept score. CONCLUSION: The Chinese version of DAS 59 demonstrated acceptable reliability and good construct and discriminant validity. It can be used for the research and assessment of the psychological state and quality of life for Chinese patients with cleft lip as well as other appearance problems and concerns.