Temporomandibular Joint Arthrocentesis and Microfragmented Adipose Tissue Injection for the Treatment of Internal Derangement and Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

PURPOSE: Internal derangement and osteoarthritis are the most common degenerative temporomandibular joint diseases and initial treatment for such conditions relies on arthrocentesis. Microfragmentation of adipose tissue has been proven in orthopedic literature to represent a more effective method to preserve stem cells, but no application has ever been reported in the temporomandibular joint. The purpose of this randomized clinical trial is to compare standard treatment conducted by injecting hyaluronic acid after the procedure to the new treatment relying upon microfragmented adipose tissue injection using the Lipogems technology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A randomized clinical trial was designed enrolling 20 patients in the control group receiving the standard treatment and 20 patients in the experimental group receiving microfragmented adipose tissue obtained through the Lipogems technology after arthrocentesis. Two main outcomes were defined, pain (visual analogic scale) and function (maximum interincisal opening). Both were measured in the immediate preoperative time, and 10 days, 1 month, and 6 months after the procedure. RESULTS: In both groups, pain reduction and mouth opening significantly improved compared with the preoperative situation (P = .001). At 6-month follow-up, there was an almost statistically significant reduction of pain compared with preoperative visual analogic scale (P = .0546) and a statistically significant improvement of mouth opening (P = .0327). Overall, statistical analyses showed that the experimental group had a statistically significant superiority in the success rate of the procedure compared with the control group (P = .018). CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary results of this clinical trial show that the injection of microfragmented adipose tissue can significantly improve outcomes of pain and function compared with the standard treatment and encourage to pursue research on this topic. Further studies with a longer follow-up time are needed to evaluate the clinical stability of the achieved improvement in pain and function.

Scoping Zygomaticomaxillary Complex Fractures With the Eyes of Virtual Reality: Operative Protocol and Proposal of a Modernized Classification.

INTRODUCTION: Fractures of the zygomaticomaxillary complex (ZMC) represent an extremely heterogeneous group of injuries to the midfacial skeleton. Traditionally, the diagnosis of such fractures was based on 2-dimensional radiograms and, more recently, on volumetric computed tomography (CT) scans, while the treatment was exclusively based on the surgeon's experience. Many classification attempts have been made in the past, but no paper has taken into account the importance of virtual surgical planning (VSP) in proving a modernized classification. The authors propose a classification based on the use of VSP which can guide the surgeon to identify the optimal reduction method and reproduce it in the operating room through the use of navigation. METHODS: Patients with ZMC fractures were collected to create a study model. The VSP was used to generate 3-dimensional models of fractures. Fractured segments were duplicated and digitally put in the optimal reduction position. Repositioned fragments were overlapped to their original preoperative counterparts and exported to the surgical navigator to be navigated. Planned virtual reduction was overlaid to postoperative CT scan to assess the accuracy of reduction, explored using color maps and the calculation of root mean square error. RESULTS: For all patients, the application of VSP was successfully accomplished. High accuracy was confirmed between the planned virtual reduction and the postoperative CT scan. A 5-item classification based on VSP is proposed. All patients were included in the presented subclasses. CONCLUSIONS: The adoption of virtual planning in ZMC fractures allows for an improved study of the displacement of the fracture and might indicate to the surgeons the required maneuvers to achieve optimal reduction. The presented proposal of classification might be an aid to simplify the choice of the most appropriate reduction method and might provide a deeper insight into the morphologic characteristics of fractures.

Computer-Guided In-House Cranioplasty: Establishing a Novel Standard for Cranial Reconstruction and Proposal of an Updated Protocol.

BACKGROUND: Restoring the ideal geometry of the skull vault can be a challenging task. This is especially true for complex cases when cranial reconstruction is associated with concomitant cranial resection in a one-stage procedure. Oftentimes, cranioplasty designing and production are delegated to external companies, with a significant increase in time and cost to fabricate an alloplastic implant. This case series collects and critically examines previous experiences in the field of in-house cranial reconstruction providing an updated protocol to establish a novel standard for cranial reconstruction with a substantial reduction of costs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A virtual craniotomy was digitally designed by the surgeon and transferred in the operating room using navigation and a surgical guide. Cranial reconstruction was planned using interpolation functions, recreating the ideal shape of the skull vault. Molds were designed, and 3D printed to intra-operatively shape polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) according to the pre-operative plan. For validating the accuracy of reconstruction, as well as the restoration of the appropriate skull thickness, software-encoded color maps and root-mean-square error (RMSE), were calculated. RESULTS: All surgeries were uneventful. No adverse reactions to PMMA were observed. Accuracy of the procedure was validated, showing a submillimetric deviation from the original planning and a plate thickness value similar to the adjoining bone. All steps of design and production were performed by the surgical team, and costs were seven to ten times less than the past. CONCLUSION: We discussed and improved previous reports in the field of computer-guided in-house cranioplasty, particularly when complex one-stage resective and reconstructive procedures are planned. The use of three-dimensional analyses provides a validation of the accuracy of the resulting cranial reconstruction. The authors hope that the results might inspire other colleagues to consider computer-guided in-house cranioplasty, giving surgeons the mastery of each planning phase with a substantial decrease in costs.

One-Stage Computer-Guided Customized Management of Skeletal Asymmetry by Concomitant Proportional Condylectomy and Orthognathic Surgery in Patients With Unilateral Condylar Hyperplasia.

PURPOSE: Facial asymmetry associated with unilateral condylar hyperplasia can benefit from condylectomy, which aims to arrest the pathologic condylar growth and restore an appropriate posterior height. However, there are several cases in which condylar hyperplasia is combined with various dentofacial deformities, for which joint surgery has to be accompanied by concomitant orthognathic surgery. The literature is relatively poor of examples in which virtual planning for orthognathic surgery includes the evaluation of condylectomy, which is often manually performed. The aim of this study was to present and discuss a workflow for 1-stage computer-guided customized management of skeletal asymmetry by simultaneous condylectomy and orthognathic surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five patients were enrolled in this study from 2018 to 2019. All patients underwent combined virtual planning of orthognathic surgery and condylectomy. Virtual surgery was translated into real surgical coordinates using patient-specific surgical guides and custom-designed osteosynthesis plates. RESULTS: All surgical procedures were uneventful, and in all patients, virtual planning was successfully brought into the operating room with high accuracy, as confirmed by superimposition analyses. Symmetrization of the face and achievement of correct occlusion were observed in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: The presented protocol is a reliable solution for the combined planning of orthognathic surgery and condylectomy. Virtual planning, surgical guides, and custom-designed plates allow computerized simulations to be replicated in the real patient.

An Updated Protocol for the Treatment of Condylar Hyperplasia: Computer-Guided Proportional Condylectomy.

PURPOSE: To present an updated protocol for proportional condylectomy in which virtual surgical planning and 3-dimensional (3D) printing allow precise definition of the osteotomy level. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three-dimensional mirroring was performed to generate a virtual replica of the healthy hemimandible, which was subsequently aligned and overlapped with the actual mandible to estimate the level for condylectomy. A custom-fitted 3D printed surgical guide was modeled for the condylar head to reproduce the virtual plan in the surgical scenario. The updated protocol for computer-guided condylectomy was applied to 7 patients. RESULTS: All patients were followed for 12 months. Surface deviation color maps showed a strong correspondence between the virtually calculated condylectomy and the surgical outcome achieved with the aid of the surgical guide. No cases of condylar hyperplasia recurrence were observed. CONCLUSION: An updated protocol based on accurate 3D analysis was performed by virtual surgical planning and 3D printing. Virtual surgical planning allows the precise definition of the level of condylectomy, and custom-made 3D printed cutting guides are useful to reproduce virtual measurements during surgical maneuvers.

Piezosurgery: Ten Years' Experience of Percutaneous Osteotomies in Rhinoplasty.

PURPOSE: The possibility to obtain precise osteotomies without major soft tissue damage represents a key point in modern approaches to rhinoplasty. In 2007, the authors first described their ultrasonic approach for percutaneous nasal bone osteotomies with minimal periosteal detachment. In this article, they retrospectively analyze the results of their piezo-surgical rhinoplasty technique through their 10-year experience and describe new perspectives of this technique. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A series of 183 patients was retrospectively evaluated. Surgical technique was based on piezoelectric external nasal osteotomies, performed percutaneously, without periosteal detachment. For the last patients, the piezoelectric instrument also was tracked with a navigator (piezo-navigated approach). Data on surgery, hospitalization, ecchymosis, edema, and postoperative complications were evaluated. RESULTS: Of the 183 patients, 168 (91.8%) showed grade 0 or 1 edema. Grade 2 edema was noticed in only 15 of 183 patients (8.2%). In 6 of the 183 procedures (3.3%), postoperative complications potentially related to the piezoelectric osteotomy system occurred. CONCLUSION: The piezoelectric external approach can be considered a safe and reliable technique. Preliminary data suggest the possibility of using surgical planning and navigation in positioning the osteotomies in selected subsets of patients.

Fungus ball of the maxillary sinus: Retrospective study of 48 patients and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Maxillary fungus ball (FB) is the most frequent paranasal localization. OBJECTIVE: To review clinical presentation, surgery and results of treatment in our series of patients with maxillary FB. To review the literature concerning treatment of maxillary FB. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 48 patients with a diagnosis of maxillary FB were treated with endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) alone or in association with external approaches. Before surgery all patients received computed tomography (CT), nasal endoscopy and dental examination. All the patients were followed for 1 year after surgery. Studies concerning surgical treatment of maxillary FB from 2006 were reviewed. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 53.6 ±â€¯11.9 years. 20 patients (41.6%) did not present any symptom, 19 patients (39.7%) had nasal symptoms, 3 patients (6.2%) had facial pain, 6 patients (12.5%) had a combination of both. Endoscopic examination was positive in 31 patients (64.6%), 17 patients (35.4%) showed negative findings. Logit regression model demonstrated that clinical symptoms contribute to the prediction of a positive endoscopic examination. 25 patients (52.1%) presented odontogenic factors. Complete clinical and radiological resolution of FB was observed in 46 patients (95.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Comparing our sample to the studies reviewed we may concluded that odontogenic factors were frequently reported and should be treated at the same time of maxillary FB. ESS alone or in association with external approaches is an effective treatment for patients with maxillary FB.

Volumetric Analysis of Fat Injection by Computerized Tomography in Orthognathic Surgery: Preliminary Report on a Novel Volumetric Analysis Process for the Quantification of Aesthetic Results.

BACKGROUND: Integrated approaches to orthognathic surgery should include accurate volumetric evaluation of the skull and soft tissues. In patients with dentofacial deformities, the most frequent aesthetic deficits are attributable to an underdevelopment of hard and soft tissues. Traditional osteotomic procedures often fail to guarantee a stability of soft tissues over time. For this reason, in selecting a surgical strategy, the surgeon should consider not only traditional osteotomies, but also soft-tissue improving procedures, such as lipofilling. Preoperative surgical planning systems, such as the Virtual surgical planning (VSP) protocol, are based mainly on skeletal movement prediction. Quantitative estimation of soft-tissue modifications is not part of common clinical practice. Most commonly, the evaluation of soft-tissue modifications after orthognathic procedures is instead performed by clinical qualitative means.The purpose of this study was to describe a novel computed tomography (CT)-based volumetric analysis process for the quantification of injected autologous adipose tissue in patients who have undergone simultaneous orthognathic and lipofilling procedures. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of consecutive patients who underwent combined orthognathic surgery and lipofilling from June 2016 to May 2017 for malocclusion with functional and aesthetic impairments. Preoperative planning included clinical evaluation and virtual osteotomy planning according to the VSP protocol. The volume of fat to be injected was estimated clinically by comparing virtual renderings with preoperative clinical photographs. The surgical technique involved Le Fort I and sagittal split mandibular osteotomies, combined with autologous fat injection in the malar and perioral regions. Postoperative evaluation was performed with a novel imaging process based on CT image segmentation to quantify the exact volume of injected fat. Skeletal stability was also evaluated at 3 months. RESULTS: Sixteen patients were enrolled in the study, all females, with a mean age of 24.5 years (range, 18-36 years). The mean difference between the fat tissue injected and that quantified postoperatively was 6.01 cm. All patients had clinically satisfactory facial convexity, with complete restoration of the cheekbone contour, at 3 months. CONCLUSION: This study introduces a novel CT-image based technique to quantitatively assess the contribution of injected fat to the postoperative soft-tissue volume increase after combined orthognathic surgery with autologous lipofilling. In the future, this CT-based volumetric analysis technique could be the gold standard for evaluating facial lipofilling outcomes, and for assessing clinical aesthetic outcomes based on the injected volume of fat.

Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) in the Field of Head and Neck Surgery: Current Evidence and Prospects for the Future-A Systematic Review.

Background: Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) are a class of artificial neural networks capable of generating content such as images, text, and sound. For several years already, artificial intelligence algorithms have shown promise as tools in the medical field, particularly in oncology. Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) represent a new frontier of innovation, as they are revolutionizing artificial content generation, opening opportunities in artificial intelligence and deep learning. Purpose: This systematic review aims to investigate what the stage of development of such technology is in the field of head and neck surgery, offering a general overview of the applications of such algorithms, how they work, and the potential limitations to be overcome in the future. Methods: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed in conducting this study, and the PICOS framework was used to formulate the research question. The following databases were evaluated: MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Scopus, ClinicalTrials.gov, ScienceDirect, and CINAHL. Results: Out of 700 studies, only 9 were included. Eight applications of GANs in the head and neck region were summarized, including the classification of craniosynostosis, recognition of the presence of chronic sinusitis, diagnosis of radicular cysts in panoramic X-rays, segmentation of craniomaxillofacial bones, reconstruction of bone defects, removal of metal artifacts from CT scans, prediction of the postoperative face, and improvement of the resolution of panoramic X-rays. Conclusions: Generative Adversarial Networks may represent a new evolutionary step in the study of pathology, oncological and otherwise, making the approach to the disease much more precise and personalized.

Complex Craniofacial Cases through Augmented Reality Guidance in Surgical Oncology: A Technical Report.

Augmented reality (AR) is a promising technology to enhance image guided surgery and represents the perfect bridge to combine precise virtual planning with computer-aided execution of surgical maneuvers in the operating room. In craniofacial surgical oncology, AR brings to the surgeon's sight a digital, three-dimensional representation of the anatomy and helps to identify tumor boundaries and optimal surgical paths. Intraoperatively, real-time AR guidance provides surgeons with accurate spatial information, ensuring accurate tumor resection and preservation of critical structures. In this paper, the authors review current evidence of AR applications in craniofacial surgery, focusing on real surgical applications, and compare existing literature with their experience during an AR and navigation guided craniofacial resection, to subsequently analyze which technological trajectories will represent the future of AR and define new perspectives of application for this revolutionizing technology.

Submental intubation in complex maxillofacial trauma: Pilot balloon protection.

AIMS: This study aims to describe our refined technique of submental intubation to avoid the recorded intraoperative complications related to tube passage and pilot balloon rupture. CASE SERIES: This is a retrospective case series of 21 patients with complex maxillofacial trauma who underwent submental intubation from January 2019 to January 2023. All the patients underwent to the same procedure with a new technique of pilot balloon protection: the pilot balloon was not deflated because, once the connector was removed, only the tube was curved and passed through the incision extraorally while the cuff remained inflated. The wire of the pilot balloon was passed behind the last tooth so as not to interfere with the maxillary-mandibular fixation, remaining extraorally under the anesthetist's view. DISCUSSION: Only 2 patients (9.5%) reported complications related to submental intubation: in particular a patient (4.8%) reported oral floor infection, and in another patient (4.8%) an unesthetic skin scar was observed. No patients reported intraoperative complications related to the procedure. CONCLUSION: The technique of pilot balloon protection that we have proposed seems to be effective in reducing the intraoperative complications related to the passage of the pilot balloon, such as rupture, damage or early extubation.

Extended Complex Temporomandibular Joint Reconstructions Exploiting Virtual Surgical Planning, Navigation Assistance, and Custom-Made Prosthesis: A Comprehensive Protocol and Workflow.

BACKGROUND: Alloplastic temporomandibular joint (TMJ) replacement is a well-established procedure in maxillo-facial surgery. However, the surgical management of large excision in this area requires complex reconstruction beyond the standard TMJ prosthesis. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to describe the design and the consequential application of a protocol which involves the use of computer-assisted surgery tools to best face complex TMJ reconstruction (TMJR). Preoperative accurate study of every single case and intraoperative check of the surgical act are nowadays essential to perform such delicate surgical procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study is a retrospective and single institution case series. The various processes of the management and planning of extended TMJ reconstruction (eTMJR) are extensively described, from the preoperative clinical evaluation, imaging acquisition protocols and virtual surgical planning (VSP), focusing also on the intraoperative transfer of VSP using navigation and surgical guides. RESULTS: We included nine patients with different pathologies which were candidates for eTMJR. Overall, the application of our protocol and workflow permitted the reduction of complications and pain, and the improvement of the maximum interincisal opening (MIO) of the patients, restoring patients' masticatory function and esthetics. CONCLUSIONS: The eTMJR should be considered as a safe and reliable surgical management modality in selected patients with large temporomandibular joint and skull base (TMJ-SB) lesions. An accurate preoperative protocol and workflow is essential to perform such insidious and complex reconstruction. However, more extensive studies on this type of device have to be conducted in order to validate its real usefulness and indications.

Computer guided maxillo-malar piezoelectric osteotomies for midface augmentation.

PURPOSE: Despite maxillo-malar osteotomies having been discarded in the most recent literature, in the setting of orthognathic surgery they provide several advantages for middle third augmentation. This paper reintroduces maxillo-malar osteotomies as an effective method to increase volume of midfacial region in combination with contemporary technology, including piezosurgery, virtual surgical planning, and navigation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eighteen patients with midface hypoplasia were included in this study and underwent orthognathic surgery with maxillo-malar osteotomies. All patients underwent the same workflow: virtual design of maxillo-malar osteotomies, surgery with navigation-assisted piezoelectric osteotomies, and computerized morphometric analysis. RESULTS: Simulated maxillo-malar osteotomies were successfully replicated in the operating room, as shown by accuracy evaluation performed using three-dimensional analysis. In long-term follow-up period, no permanent complications were assessed. Superimposition between postoperative and preoperative CBCTs revealed that the soft tissue area influenced by the underlying skeletal movement was comparable for all cases. CONCLUSIONS: Virtual surgical planning, navigation, and piezosurgery are today indispensable tools to perform maxillo-malar osteotomies safely and accurately. We suggest incorporating such osteotomies in the surgeon's armamentarium for patients with severe midfacial hypoplasia as they offer an integrated solution to restore functionality and aesthetics.

Double osseous flaps for simultaneous midfacial and mandible reconstruction: Automation in surgical complexity within an entirely computerized workflow.

Introduction: Broad maxillofacial surgical resections involving both the midface and the mandible represent a challenge in terms of reconstruction. Although several papers have explored the possibility of simultaneously using two microsurgical flaps, reports on the implementation of a dual osseous flap strategy are limited, and mainly addressed to static anatomical reconstruction, regardless of functional implications. In particular, there is a lack in the literature of a unifying protocol which illustrates how technology including virtual planning, statistical shape modeling, virtual occlusion, 3D-printing and patient-specific implants can address the functional and accuracy needs required for an optimal reconstruction. Materials and methods: In this paper, the Authors present their preliminary experience in a two-center study, showing how broad maxillofacial defects, requiring a simultaneous reconstruction in both the mandible and the midface, can be successfully reconstructed using the combination of two osseous flaps in an automated sequence in which all steps are anticipately defined in a virtual plan, accounting for the optimal alignment of temporomandibular joint, predicting the final occlusion and defining a mandibular shape according to a statistical shape model. Results: Average RMSE for the iliac bone crest flap was of 3.2 ± 0.36 mm; for the fibula flap, RMSE value was of 2.3 ± 0.65 mm, for patient-specific implants, for mandibular prostheses the average RMSE was 2.46 mm with 0.76 mm standard deviation. Temporomandibular joint function increased when a TMJ prosthesis was placed. Conclusions: Double bone free flap is a valuable resource to reconstruct wide defects that simultaneously involve two thirds of the cranio-maxillo-facial skeleton, but a careful virtual planning study should be always performed before approaching this surgical option.

The Use of Artificial Intelligence Algorithms in the Prognosis and Detection of Lymph Node Involvement in Head and Neck Cancer and Possible Impact in the Development of Personalized Therapeutic Strategy: A Systematic Review.

Given the increasingly important role that the use of artificial intelligence algorithms is taking on in the medical field today (especially in oncology), the purpose of this systematic review is to analyze the main reports on such algorithms applied for the prognostic evaluation of patients with head and neck malignancies. The objective of this paper is to examine the currently available literature in the field of artificial intelligence applied to head and neck oncology, particularly in the prognostic evaluation of the patient with this kind of tumor, by means of a systematic review. The paper exposes an overview of the applications of artificial intelligence in deriving prognostic information related to the prediction of survival and recurrence and how these data may have a potential impact on the choice of therapeutic strategy, making it increasingly personalized. This systematic review was written following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines.

Reply to Mattei et al. Jacob Disease, Osteochondroma of the Coronoid Process, Coronoid Process Hyperplasia or Langenbeck Disease: The Big Jumble. Comment on "Raccampo et al. Jacob's Disease: Case Series, Extensive Literature Review and Classification Proposal. J. Clin. Med. 2023, 12, 938".

As authors of the text, we can only thank Mattei et al. [...].