Risk of sleep-disordered breathing in orthodontic patients: comparison between children and adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the risk of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in orthodontic patients and to evaluate the influence of sex, age, and orthodontic treatment in a cohort of subjects using the Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire (PSQ) screening tool. METHODS: Parents of 245 patients aged 5-18 years (11.4 ±â€…3.3 years) were invited to participate in the study by answering the PSQ, which has 22 questions about snoring, sleepiness, and behavior. The frequency of high and low risk was calculated for the full sample. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess the association among sex, age, orthodontic treatment, rapid maxillary expansion (RME), and body mass index (BMI) with SDB. A significance level of 5% (P < .05) was adopted in all tests. RESULTS: A high risk of SDB was found in 34.3% of the sample. No sex and BMI difference was found for the risk of SDB. The high risk of SDB was significantly associated with younger ages (OR = 1.889, P = .047), pre-orthodontic treatment phase (OR = 3.754, P = .02), and RME (OR = 4.157, P = .001). LIMITATIONS: Lack of ear, nose and throat-related medical history. CONCLUSION: Children showed a 1.8 higher probability of having a high risk of SDB compared with adolescents. Patients before orthodontic treatment and patients submitted to RME showed a high risk of SDB.

Mandibular second premolar distoangulation: a longitudinal follow-up from the mixed to the permanent dentition.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of mandibular second premolar (MnP2) distoangulation among orthodontic patients and the angular changes after a longitudinal follow-up. METHODS: The sample was collected from the orthodontic records of 865 patients. The distoangulation group was composed of 42 patients (mean age 9.29 ±â€…1.24 years, 16 male, 26 female) with distoangulation of MnP2. The control group was composed of 32 patients (mean age 9.38 ±â€…1.10 years, 15 male, and 17 female) without distoangulation of MnP2. Panoramic radiographs taken in the mixed (T1) and the early permanent dentition (T2) were analyzed in both groups. Longitudinal angular changes (distal angle θ and premolar-molar angle γ), degree of root formation, second premolar depth, and prevalence of associated dental anomalies were analyzed. Intergroup comparison was performed with Mann-Whitney, t-tests, and chi-square tests (P < 0.05). RESULTS: The prevalence of MnP2 distoangulation in the mixed dentition was 4.85%. The distoangulation group showed a smaller initial distal angle (59.34o ±â€…8.41) when compared to control group (79.88o ±â€…7.60). The spontaneous eruption of the MnP2 with distoangulation was observed in 76.57% of the sample. MnP2 distoangulation was significantly associated with agenesis of its antimere, small maxillary lateral incisors, and deciduous molar infraocclusion. LIMITATIONS: Severe cases of MnP2 distoangulation were absent in this study. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of MnP2 distoangulation among orthodontic patients was 4.85%. Mild to moderate distoangulated Mnp2 spontaneously uprighted from the mixed to the permanent dentition. Small lateral incisors, second premolar agenesis, and infraocclusion of deciduous molar were frequently found in cases with MnP2 distoangulation.

Effect of lung volume preservation during spontaneous breathing trial on successful extubation in patients receiving mechanical ventilation: protocol for a multicenter clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: In standard weaning from mechanical ventilation, a successful spontaneous breathing test (SBT) consisting of 30 min 8 cmH2O pressure-support ventilation (PSV8) without positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) is followed by extubation with continuous suctioning; however, these practices might promote derecruitment. Evidence supports the feasibility and safety of extubation without suctioning. Ultrasound can assess lung aeration and respiratory muscles. We hypothesize that weaning aiming to preserve lung volume can yield higher rates of successful extubation. METHODS: This multicenter superiority trial will randomly assign eligible patients to receive either standard weaning [SBT: 30-min PSV8 without PEEP followed by extubation with continuous suctioning] or lung-volume-preservation weaning [SBT: 30-min PSV8 + 5 cmH2O PEEP followed by extubation with positive pressure without suctioning]. We will compare the rates of successful extubation and reintubation, ICU and hospital stays, and ultrasound measurements of the volume of aerated lung (modified lung ultrasound score), diaphragm and intercostal muscle thickness, and thickening fraction before and after successful or failed SBT. Patients will be followed for 90 days after randomization. DISCUSSION: We aim to recruit a large sample of representative patients (N = 1600). Our study cannot elucidate the specific effects of PEEP during SBT and of positive pressure during extubation; the results will show the joint effects derived from the synergy of these two factors. Although universal ultrasound monitoring of lungs, diaphragm, and intercostal muscles throughout weaning is unfeasible, if derecruitment is a major cause of weaning failure, ultrasound may help clinicians decide about extubation in high-risk and borderline patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The Research Ethics Committee (CEIm) of the Fundació Unió Catalana d'Hospitals approved the study (CEI 22/67 and 23/26). Registered at ClinicalTrials.gov in August 2023. Identifier: NCT05526053.

Pain and discomfort perception during miniscrew-anchored maxillary protraction: secondary data analysis of a randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the perception of pain and discomfort of patients and guardians during treatment between miniscrew-anchored maxillary protraction (MAMP) therapy using Hybrid (HH) and Conventional Hyrax (CH) expanders. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Group HH was composed of 18 subjects (8 female, 10 male; initial age: 10.80 years) with Class III malocclusion treated with a hybrid expander in the maxilla and two miniscrews in the anterior region of the mandible. Class III elastics were used from maxillary first molar to mandibular miniscrews. Group CH was composed of 14 subjects (6 female, 8 male; initial age: 11.44 years) treated with a similar protocol except for conventional Hyrax expander. Pain and discomfort of patients and guardians were assessed using a visual analog scale immediately after placement (T1), after 24 hours (T2), and 1 month after appliance installation (T3). Mean differences (MD) were obtained. Intergroup and intragroup timepoint comparisons were performed using independent t-tests, analysis of variance for repeated measures and Friedman test (P < 5%). RESULTS: Both groups demonstrated similar levels of pain and discomfort with a significant decrease after 1 month of appliance placement (MD: 4.21; P = .608). Compared to patient perceptions, guardians reported a higher level of pain and discomfort at all timepoints (MD, T1: 13.91, P < .001; T2: 23.15, P < .001; T3: 9.35, P = .008). CONCLUSIONS: MAMP therapy with HH and CH produced similar levels of pain and discomfort after appliance installation until 1 month after treatment. Pain and discomfort may not influence the choice between HH and CH expanders.