Application of a Cone-Beam Computed Tomography-Based Index for Evaluating Surgical Sites Prior to Sinus Lift Procedures-A Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVES: Radiography-based indices can help surgeons perform detailed examinations of the surgical site and predict the surgical difficulty of cases. We aimed to develop and validate a novel CBCT-based index that can predict the surgical difficulty of sinus-augmentation procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the first stage, five experienced dental specialists performed a review of the literature and closed group discussions and designed the novel index. In the next stage, the index was validated. CBCT scans of 30 patients scheduled for sinus-augmentation procedures were evaluated and assigned presurgical CBCT evaluation scores (PSCESs) by five examiners. Subsequently, one oral surgeon performed sinus augmentation using the lateral antrostomy technique and assigned surgical difficulty scores (SDSs) to each of the 30 cases along with 2 observers. The PSCESs and SDSs were statistically analysed to determine the interrater reliability and validity of the index. RESULTS: The interrater agreement of the PSCES among the five presurgical evaluators was 0.85. The PSCES of the five evaluators had highly significant correlation (P < 0.001, r = 0.68 to 0.76) with the SDS. Regression analysis revealed that for every unit increase in the PSCES, there is 0.46 to 0.57 increase in the SDS value. CONCLUSION: The results of this pilot study revealed that a novel CBCT-based index can be used as a reliable tool for predicting the surgical difficulty of sinus-augmentation procedures. However, the novel index needs to be tested on a larger sample of patients and evaluators for a more concrete validity and reliability.

Efficacy of bioresorbable plates in the osteosynthesis of linear mandibular fractures.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: There are limited evidences available about the performance of biodegradable system in the treatment of linear mandibular fractures without the aid of postoperative maxillomandibular fixation (MMF). Hence, the present study was planned to evaluate the treatment outcomes in mandibular fractures, using 2.5 mm bioresorbable plates and screws without postoperative MMF. METHODOLOGY: This cohort study compares both prospective and retrospective data. The prospective study treated 20 adult patients with linear mandibular fracture using bioresorbable plates and screws, without using postoperative MMF (Group 1). Retrospective data were collected from a previous published study in which patients were treated with bioresorbable plates and screws with 2 weeks postoperative MMF (Group 2) and those treated with metal plates and screws without postoperative MMF (Group 3). Group 1 patients were followed up at 2 and 4 months to evaluate the functional outcomes in terms of fracture mobility, malocclusion, pain, and soft-tissue deformity and compared with its preoperative findings. Further, the treatment outcomes of Group 1, Group 2, and Group 3 were compared among themselves at 2-month follow-up. RESULTS: Group 1 patients showed a significant improvement in the treatment outcomes at 2 and 4-month follow-up. In addition, when 2 months postoperative outcomes were compared among the three groups, no statistically significant difference was observed in the treatment outcomes. CONCLUSION: Endpoint osteosynthesis can be achieved with the bioresorbable fixation system when used in the treatment of un-displaced linear mandibular fractures, without postoperative MMF. A minor modification of using a lower size osteotomy drill can prevent screw loosening.

Retrospective study of mandibular angle fractures treated with three different fixation systems.

AIM: To evaluate the outcomes of mandibular angle fractures treated with metal 2.0 mm locking, metal 2.0 mm nonlocking, and 2.5 mm resorbable systems. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Trauma records were screened for linear angle fractures treated with open-reduction and internal semi-rigid fixation with single metal/bioresorbable plates, and baseline variables were tabulated. The outcome variable was the presence or absence of any complication. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: The Fisher's exact test and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) using STATA 11. RESULTS: A total of 60 case records of over four years were included. The mean age of the patients was 27.4 (SD 9.7) years. Fifty-five were male and five female. There were 20 nonlocking and 16 locking metal miniplates and 24 bioresorbable plates. In 55 (91.6%) cases there was a third molar in the fracture line. In 51/55 (92.7%) cases the third molar was retained. In seven patients postoperative complications were seen. There was no difference between the complication rates of the three treatment groups. Infection was the most common complication followed by delayed union and hardware failure. CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective study found no difference in the complication rate when fractures of the mandibular angle were treated with locking or nonlocking miniplates or bioresorbable plates.