Association between blood transfusions and complications in head and neck reconstruction: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: The aim of this meta-analysis is to assess the correlation between blood transfusions and the medical/surgical complications after head and neck reconstructive surgery. METHODS: The PRISMA protocol was used and the literature search was performed on Pubmed, Scopus, Cochrane Library and Web of Science up to March 13, 2020. The risk of bias in individual studies was assessed through the Newcastle Ottawa Scale. RESULTS: A total of 1219 records were screened after the electronic search, 22 of which were included in the qualitative analysis. Of there 22 scores, 18 articles were included in the meta-analysis. The OR for medical and surgical complications of transfused patients was 1,64 (95% CI 1.23-2.21); while, the OR for hospital readmission was 1.53 (95% CI 1.29-1.81). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this meta-analysis suggested that blood transfusions are associated with both an increased risk of surgical and medical complications of head and neck flaps and with the hospital readmission.

Relationship between preterm birth and developmental defects of enamel: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: A putative relationship between preterm birth and developmental defects of enamel (DDE) has been described in the literature. Although systematic reviews have found preterm birth may lead to DDE, the effect size has not been quantified. AIM: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the association between preterm birth and DDE. DESIGN: An electronic search was performed in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Web of Science to identify relevant studies. Two independent reviewers selected the studies in a two-stage process in accordance with the PRISMA statement. The risk of bias was also analysed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale criteria. RESULTS: A total of 1041 publications were considered after an electronic search, 20 of which were included in the systematic review. Of these 20 publications, 18 articles were included in a meta-analysis. The meta-analysis detected an increased risk of developing DDE in preterm children [OR: 3.27 (95% CI 2.02, 5.30; P < .001)], with a greater risk in the primary dentition. In addition to this, a subgroup analysis showed a greater risk in the development of hypoplasia in preterm children. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this meta-analysis showed a three times increased risk of developing DDE in preterm children.

Working length determination in primary teeth pulpectomy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The present meta-analysis aimed to describe the methods to determine the working length in primary teeth pulpectomy, also evaluating and comparing their reliability. A systematic review was performed following the PRISMA Statement. The electronic search was conducted on PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library and Web of Science. After the screening protocol, a number of 14 studies were included in the qualitative analysis, while seven were included in the quantitative one. The mean working length determined by the electronic apex locator was 11.8 mm (9.0-15.55), while 12.42 mm (11.0-13.52) and 12.3 mm (9.73-15.93) were the mean working length observed with the conventional radiography and the digital radiography, respectively. No statistically significant difference was detected in quantitative analysis between the investigated methods. The present meta-analysis showed that electronic apex locator, conventional radiography and digital radiography are similar in determining working length in primary teeth.

Low-grade intraductal carcinoma of salivary glands: A systematic review of this rare entity.

BACKGROUND: Low-grade intraductal carcinomas are rare, malign tumors of salivary glands most commonly affecting parotid gland. It is a slow-growing tumor considered with a favourable prognosis after surgical excision. METHODS: To define the characteristics and management of low-grade intraductal carcinoma a systematic review was performed using the electronic databases Pubmed, Cochrane and Scopus. A new case report was also described. RESULTS: Including this case the review of literature identified only 54 cases reported thus far. Demographics, clinical presentation, diagnostic tools, treatment, follow-up and recurrence rate, histological and immunohistochemical patterns of this kind of tumor were summarized. CONCLUSION: Low-grade intraductal carcinoma has already been well defined but is important to focus on the fact that in few cases component of high-grade infiltrations have been reported: this may modify surgical approach because a simple tumorectomy may not be enough.

Association between third molar and mandibular angle fracture: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the risk of mandibular angle fracture associated with the presence of a mandibular third molar and its position when the mandibular fracture occurs. METHODS: A systematic literary search was performed in Pubmed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library for observational studies with at least 250 patients that included frequency of mandibular angle fracture, presence of third molar, and its position. RESULTS: A total of seven studies were included in the review, from an initial search of 622 titles. The relative risk of mandibular angle fracture with third molar was 1.90 (95% CI = 1.47-2.46). The relative risk of mandibular angle fracture related to third molar position (according to the Pell and Gregory classification) was 1.18 (95% CI = 0.62-2.25), 1.98 (95% CI = 0.95-4.10), 2.72 (95% CI = 1.78-4.16), 1.31 (95% CI = 0.80-2.14), 2.21 (95% CI = 1.69-2.87) and 2.99 (95% CI = 2.12-4.22) for Class A, Class B, Class C, Class I, Class II, and Class III, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our meta-analysis reported a two-fold increased risk of mandibular angle fracture with the presence of a third molar in patients who presented with mandibular fractures. Even the third molar position seemed to influence mandibular angle fracture, especially Class C, Class II, and Class III.