Effectiveness of pre-surgical orthopedics on patients with cleft lip and palate: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the effectiveness of pre-surgical orthopedics (PSO) in patients with cleft lip palate (CLP) in maxillary morphology (MM), facial growth and development (FGD), occlusal alterations (OA), parental satisfaction (PS), and side effects. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized and controlled clinical trials. Searches was performed in CENTRAL, MEDLINE, and EMBASE. RESULTS: From the eight studies included, three are randomized clinical trials, and five clinical trials are controlled. MM was evaluated by the intercanine width (Mean difference (MD) =1.44; CI95%= -0.30, 3.19; very low certainty), anteroposterior length (MD=1.32; CI95%= -0.59, 3.24; very low certainty) and intertuberocity width (MD=0.09; CI95%= -0.68, 0.49; certainty: very low). FGD was evaluated by SNA angle (MD: 1.29; P = 0.306; moderate certainty), SNB angle (MD: -0.79; P = 0.550; moderate certainty) and ANB angle (MD: 1; P = 0.362; moderate certainty). OA was evaluated by 5-years-old-index (MD= -0.09; P = 0.49; moderate certainty) and by Huddart score (MD=0.51; P = 0.736; moderate certainty). A valid questionnaire assessed PS only in one study (MD= -0.1; P = 0.199; moderate certainty). No studies reported side effects. CONCLUSION: Due to the uncertainty of the effect of PSO on MM and the lack of clinically relevant effect on FGD, OA, or PS, it is not reasonable to include this intervention as a treatment until future studies clarify its effect.

Ortopedia prequirúrgica en el tratamiento de pacientes con fisura labio y paladar / Presurgical orthopedics in the treatment of patients with cleft lip and palate

RESUMEN: Introducción: Dentro del tratamiento estándar de los pacientes con fisura labio-máxilo-palatinas se encuentra la ortopedia prequirúrgica. Esta se realiza con el objetivo de modular la posición, alineación y estabilización de los segmentos maxilares previo a la primera cirugía. Pese a que es ampliamente utilizada, su efectividad es controversial. Métodos: Se realizó una búsqueda en Epistemonikos, la mayor base de datos de revisiones sistemáticas en salud, la cual es mantenida mediante el cribado de múltiples fuentes de información, incluyendo MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, entre otras. Se extrajeron los datos desde las revisiones identificadas, se analizaron los datos de los estudios primarios, posteriormente se realizó un metaanálisis y se preparó una tabla de resumen de los resultados utilizando el método GRADE. Resultados y Conclusiones: Se identificaron 14 revisiones sistemáticas que en conjunto incluyeron 57 estudios primarios, de los cuales, cinco corresponden a ensayos clínicos aleatorizados. Concluimos que no es posible establecer con claridad si la ortopedia prequirúrgica mejora o perjudica la morfología maxilar, debido a que la certeza de la evidencia ha sido evaluada como muy baja. Por su parte, la ortopedia prequirúrgica podría resultar en poca o nula diferencia en el crecimiento y desarrollo facial, las alteraciones oclusales, la satisfacción parental, la alimentación, el habla y la apariencia facial y nasolabial, pero la certeza de la evidencia es baja.

ABSTRACT: Introduction: Within the standard treatment of patients with labio-maxillo-palatal cleft is presurgical orthopedics. This procedure seeks to modulate the position, alignment and stabilization of the maxillary segments prior to the first surgery. Although it is widely used, its effectiveness is currently controversial. Methods: We searched in Epistemonikos, the largest database of systematic reviews in health, which is maintained by screening multiple information sources, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, among others. We extracted data from the systematic reviews, reanalyzed data of primary studies, conducted a meta-analysis and generated a summary of findings table using the GRADE approach. Results and conclusions: We identified 14 systematic reviews that included 57 primary studies, five of which correspond to randomized trials. We conclude that it is uncertain whether presurgical orthopedics improves or deteriorates maxillary morphology, because the certainty of the evidence has been very low. On the other hand, presurgical orthopedics may make little or no difference to facial growth and development, occlusal alterations, parental satisfaction, feeding, speech, and facial and nasolabial appearance, but the certainty of the evidence is low.

Clinical practice guidelines: Oral health care for children and adults living with epidermolysis bullosa.

BACKGROUND: Inherited epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a genetic disorder characterized by skin fragility and unique oral features. AIMS: To provide (a) a complete review of the oral manifestations in those living with each type of inherited EB, (b) the current best practices for managing oral health care of people living with EB, (c) the current best practices on dental implant-based oral rehabilitation for patients with recessive dystrophic EB (RDEB), and (d) the current best practice for managing local anesthesia, principles of sedation, and general anesthesia for children and adults with EB undergoing dental treatment. METHODS: Systematic literature search, panel discussion including clinical experts and patient representatives from different centers around the world, external review, and guideline piloting. RESULTS: This article has been divided into five chapters: (i) general information on EB for the oral health care professional, (ii) systematic literature review on the oral manifestations of EB, (iii) oral health care and dental treatment for children and adults living with EB-clinical practice guidelines, (iv) dental implants in patients with RDEB-clinical practice guidelines, and (v) sedation and anesthesia for adults and children with EB undergoing dental treatment-clinical practice guidelines. Each chapter provides recommendations on the management of the different clinical procedures within dental practice, highlighting the importance of patient-clinician partnership, impact on quality of life, and the importance of follow-up appointments. Guidance on the use on nonadhesive wound care products and emollients to reduce friction during patient care is provided. CONCLUSIONS: Oral soft and hard tissue manifestations of inherited EB have unique patterns of involvement associated with each subtype of the condition. Understanding each subtype individually will help the professionals plan long-term treatment approaches.

Incidencia de complicaciones post quirúrgicas en cirugía bucal / Incidence of post-surgical complications in oral surgery

OBJETIVO: El objetivo principal de este estudio fue determinar la incidencia de complicaciones post cirugía bucal. METODOLOGÍA: Se desarrolló un estudio observacional, descriptivo, con el uso del registro prospectivo de la totalidad de pacientes ingresados para cirugía bucal del Complejo Hospitalario San Borja-Arriarán durante doce meses de observación (abril 2017 a marzo 2018). RESULTADOS: La muestra estuvo conformada por 532 pacientes sometidos a procedimientos quirúrgicos de cirugía bucal y 29 casos de complicación postquirúrgica. La incidencia de complicaciones alcanzó un 5,5% y se observó de manera predominante en intervenciones de tipo exodoncia. La complicación mayormente observada fue la alveolitis alcanzando un 2,5% de las cirugías de terceros molares y un 3,7% de las exodoncias de otros dientes. Las hemorragias postoperatorias se observaron en un 1,1% de las cirugías de terceros molares. Otras complicaciones postquirúrgicas fueron abscesos de espacios faciales, parestesia del nervio alveolar inferior, hematomas, equimosis y periostitis. CONCLUSIÓN: Los resultados fueron similares a los reportados en la literatura tanto en su frecuencia como en el tipo de complicación.

OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this investigation was to determine the incidence of postoperative complications in oral surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An observational and descriptive study was developed with the use of the prospective registry of the patients admitted for oral surgery in the San Borja Arriarán Hospital Complex for a twelve-month period of observation (April 2017 to March 2018). RESULTS: The sample consisted of 532 patients undergoing surgical procedures of oral surgery and 29 cases of postoperative complications. The incidence of complications reached 5,5% and it was observed predominantly in interventions of tooth extraction. The most commonly observed complication was dry socket, reaching 2,5% of third molar surgeries and 3,7% of extractions of other teeth. Postoperative hemorrhages were observed in 1,1% of third molar surgeries. Other postoperative complications were facial spaces abscesses, paresthesia of the inferior alveolar nerve, bruising, ecchymosis and periostitis. CONCLUSIONS: The results were similar to those reported in the literature both in their frequency and in the type of complication.

Infectious postoperative complications in oral surgery. An observational study.

BACKGROUND: The main objective of this investigation was to determine the incidence of infectious postoperative complications in oral surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A observational and descriptive study was developed, with the use of prospective registry of the patients admitted for oral surgery at the San Borja Arriarán Hospital Complex during twelve months observation period (April 2017 to March 2018). RESULTS: The sample consisted of 532 patients undergoing surgical procedures of oral surgery and 19 cases of infectious postoperative complications. The incidence of complications reached 3,57% and it was observed predominantly in exodontic type interventions. The most commonly observed complication was dry socket, reaching 2,5% of third molar surgeries and 3,7% of extractions of other teeth. Other postoperative complication were 7 cases of facial spaces abscesses, also observed predominantly in exodontic type interventions. CONCLUSIONS: The results were similar to those reported in the literature both in their frequency and in the type of complication. Key words:Oral surgery, incidence, postoperative complications, dry socket, third molar.

Reconstrucción de defectos mandibulares: bloque acrílico como mantenedor de contorno de tejidos / Mandibular defects reconstruction: The use of an acrylic block as a space and contour maintainer of the oral tissues

RESUMEN: Introducción: El tratamiento de grandes tumores mandibulares conlleva una alteración anatómica y funcional del paciente. La reconstrucción de estos defectos es un desafío para el cirujano, sin perjuicio que el tratamiento con injertos suele ser la primera opción en la mayoría de los casos, su aplicación podría estar limitada a las consecuencias derivadas de la comunicación del injerto con el medio oral. El presente artículo pretende exponer el uso de acrílico dental como elemento intermediario entre la resección y reconstrucción en situaciones como la descrita. Caso Clínico: Paciente adulta con ameloblastoma mandibular es tratada mediante resección quirúrgica y mantenida con un bloque acrílico en la zona resecada durante 6 meses, con el objeto de permitir el cierre de comunicación de la lesión con el medio oral, reconstruyéndose posteriormente el defecto con injerto libre de cresta ilíaca. Discusión: Las implicancias estético-funcionales de la mandíbula requieren meticulosidad en la reconstrucción de los defectos resultantes a su patología. A través del procedimiento propuesto, se consigue mejorar el pronóstico de la reconstrucción con injerto óseo de un defecto mandibular comunicado al medio oral, obteniéndose buenos resultados morfológicos y funcionales.

ABSTRACT: Introduction: The treatment of large mandibular tumors has anatomic and functional sequelae to the patient. Reconstruction of these defects is a challenge to the surgeon, whereas grafting is the first choice treatment in most cases, its application could be limited by conditions such as a communication with the oral environment. The present article intends to present the use of a methacrylate block as an interim device between resection and reconstruction in situations such as the above described. Case Report: An adult female affected by mandibular ameloblastoma is treated by surgical resection and kept with the aid of a methacrylate block in the resected area for 6 months, allowing closure of the communication between the lesion and the oral environment to be posteriorly treated with a free iliac crest graft. Discussion: Functional and esthetic implications of mandibular resection sequelae mandate a thorough reconstruction of the lasting defects. By the proposed procedure a better prognosis for the reconstruction is achieved when using a bone graft in the setting of a lesion communicated with the oral environment, allowing good morphological and functional results.

Antiplatelet therapy in patients undergoing oral surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: The number of patients under antiplatelet therapy (APT) continues to raise as current recommendations foster this practice. Although some recommendations to manage this treatment during oral surgery procedures exist, these have methodological shortcomings that preclude them from being conclusive. Material and Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the best current evidence was carried out; The Cochrane Library, EMBASE and MEDLINE databases were searched for Randomized Controlled Trials (RCT) concerning patients undergoing oral surgery with APT, other relevant sources were searched manually. Results: 5 RCTs met the Inclusion criteria. No clear tendency was observed (RR= 0.97 CI 95%: 0,41-2,34; p=0,09; I2= 51%), moreover, they weren't clinically significant. Conclusions: According to these findings and as bleeding is a manageable complication it seems unreasonable to undermine the APT, putting the patient in danger of a thrombotic event and its high inherent morbidity, which isn’t comparable in severity and manageability to the former"

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Riesgo de hemorragia postquirúrgica en pacientes bajo tratamiento antitrombótico sometidos a cirugía oral: Revisión Sistemática y Metaanálisis / Risk of postsurgical hemorrhage in patients with antitrombotic treatment undergoing oral surgery: A systematic review and Metanalysis

RESUMEN: Introducción: el objetivo de esta revisión fue determinar el riesgo de hemorragia postoperatoria en pacientes con tratamiento anticoagulante oral (TACO) sometidos a cirugía oral que no suspenden su tratamiento comparado con quienes lo modifican o suspenden. Materiales y métodos: se realizó una búsqueda en CENTRAL, Medline y EMBASE, junto con una revisión manual de revistas especializadas y resúmenes de la IADR. Dos revisores realizaron la selección de estudios, evaluación de riesgo de sesgo y extracción de datos de forma independiente. Se seleccionaron los ensayos clínicos aleatorizados que miden la aparición de hemorragias en pacientes sometidos a procedimientos quirúrgicos orales con TACO en comparación con un grupo que interrumpió o modificó su terapia. Resultados: Solo 5 estudios cumplieron los criterios de inclusión (549 pacientes). El metanálisis mostró que el mantenimiento de la TACO no aumenta el riesgo de hemorragia postoperatoria (riesgo relativo: 1,41 [0,93 - 2,16], IC del 95% p = 0,11) en comparación con la interrupción del tratamiento. Conclusión: Aunque se encontró una mayor cantidad de hemorragia postoperatoria en pacientes con TACO comparado con quienes lo interrumpieron o modificaron, esta diferencia no fue estadística ni clínicamente significativa. Por lo tanto, TACO no debe suspenderse en pacientes sometidos a cirugía oral.

ABSTRACT: Introduction: This systematic review aims to determine the postoperative bleeding risk in patients on oral anticoagulant therapy (OAT) undergoing oral surgical procedures when continuing with the treatment, compared with those modifying or discontinuing the treatment. Materials and methods: A search was performed using CENTRAL, Medline and EMBASE, in conjunction with a manual review of indexes of specialized journals and abstracts of the IADR. Study selection, assessments of risk of bias and data extraction were performed independently by 2 reviewers. Randomized clinical trials measuring the occurrence of bleeding in patients on OAT undergoing oral surgical procedures compared with a group discontinuing or modifying their therapy were selected. Results: A total of 5 studies were included based on inclusion criteria (549 patients). The meta-analysis showed that the maintenance of OAT does not increases the risk of postoperative bleeding (relative risk [RR] 1.41 [0.93 - 2.16]; 95% CI p= 0,11) compared with the discontinuation of therapy. Conclusion: Although a larger quantity of oral postoperative bleeding episodes were found in patients continuing with OAT compared with patients discontinuing or modifying their therapy, this difference was neither statistically nor clinically significant. Therefore, OAT should not be discontinued in patients undergoing oral surgery.

Efficacy of adjuvant laser therapy in reducing postsurgical complications after the removal of impacted mandibular third molars: A systematic review update and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The authors updated a previously published systematic review to assess the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on reducing complications after the removal of impacted mandibular third molars. TYPES OF STUDIES REVIEWED: The authors searched for randomized clinical trials in which the investigators evaluated the efficacy of LLLT compared with that of placebo or no treatment. Two reviewers independently screened studies, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias. The authors used random effects model meta-analysis and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach to rate the certainty of evidence. RESULTS: The authors included 21 studies. There was low-certainty evidence that LLLT results in less pain at 2 days after surgery (mean difference [MD], -1.42 on a 10 point scale; 95% confidence interval [CI], -2.18 to -0.67) and moderate certainty that it results in negligibly less pain at 7 days (MD, -0.59; 95% CI, -0.96 to -0.22); moderate-certainty evidence that LLLT has a negligible benefit on reducing trismus at 2 days (MD, -3.42 millimeters; 95% CI, -5.34 to -1.50) and at 7 days after surgery (MD, -2.30 mm; 95% CI, -3.96 to -0.64); lastly, there was moderate-certainty evidence that LLLT results in less postoperative swelling at 2 days (standardized MD, -0.82; 95% CI, -1.28 to -0.35) and low-certainty evidence that LLLT results in negligibly less postoperative swelling at 7 days after surgery (standardized MD, -0.17; 95% CI, -0.4 to 0.07). Low-quality evidence suggests that LLLT will not cause adverse effects. CONCLUSIONS AND PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: LLLT probably has negligible benefits but may not result in adverse events. Evidence does not support the use of LLLT in clinical practice to reduce complications after impacted mandibular third-molar surgical extractions.

Antibiotic prophylaxis for preventing infectious complications in orthognathic surgery.

BACKGROUND: Orthognathic surgery (OS) is a term that refers to many elective surgical techniques to correct facial deformity; the associated malocclusion and functional disorders related to the stomatognathic system. Whilst such surgery is classed as "clean-contaminated", the usefulness of and the most appropriate regimen for antibiotic prophylaxis in these patients are still debated. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of antibiotic prophylaxis for preventing surgical site infection (SSI) in people undergoing orthognathic surgery. SEARCH METHODS: In June 2014, we searched the Cochrane Wounds Group Specialised Register; the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library); Ovid MEDLINE; Ovid MEDLINE (In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations); Ovid EMBASE; and EBSCO CINAHL. We also searched Google Scholar and performed manual searches in journals relevant to the topic, conference proceedings and lists of references of potentially included articles. We did not restrict the search and study selection with respect to language, date of publication or study setting. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) involving people undergoing orthognathic surgery comparing one regimen of antibiotic prophylaxis with any other regimen or placebo. The primary outcome was SSI, and secondary outcomes were systemic infections, adverse events, duration of hospital stay and health-related quality of life. Two review authors screened articles independently. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Data were abstracted independently by two review authors, and agreement was checked. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Antibiotic regimens were classified as preoperative (one dose before surgery), short-term (before or during surgery and/or during the same day of surgery) and long-term (before or during surgery and longer than one day after surgery) antibiotic prophylaxis. Random-effects meta-analyses using inverse variance methods were undertaken when possible. We report risk ratios (RRs) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). MAIN RESULTS: A total of 11 trials were included in this review. Most of the studies had an unclear risk of bias prompting us to downgrade the quality of evidence for our outcomes. Seven of these trials provided evidence for the main comparison and the primary outcome and these were pooled. Overall, long-term antibiotic prophylaxis probably reduces the risk of SSI (plausible effects range between a 76% to a 0.26% relative reduction in SSI with long-term antibiotic prophylaxis) (472 participants; RR 0.42, 95% CI 0.24 to 0.74; moderate-quality evidence). There is uncertainty surrounding the relative effects of short-term antibiotics compared with a single dose (220 participants; RR 0.34, 95% CI 0.09 to 1.22; low-quality evidence). No reports described adverse effects associated with the drugs in those trials that reported in this outcome. None of these trials assessed or reported data regarding other outcomes, and information was insufficient to show whether a specific antibiotic is better than another. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: For people undergoing orthognathic surgery, long term antibiotic prophylaxis decreases the risk of SSI compared with short-term antibiotic prophylaxis and the is uncertainty of whether short-term antibiotic prophylaxis decreases SSi risk relative to a single pre-operative dose of prophylactic antibiotics.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of usual treatment versus psychosocial interventions in the treatment of myofascial temporomandibular disorder pain.

AIMS: To carry out a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing the effects of occlusal splint therapy ("usual treatment") and psychosocial interventions for the treatment of myofascial temporomandibular disorder (TMD) pain in adult patients. METHODS: Independent screening and evaluation of randomized clinical trials included comparisons between "usual treatment" based on splint therapy and psychosocial interventions for TMD treatment within electronic databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, CENTRAL, EMBASE), ongoing trials databases (Current Controlled Trials, ClinicalTrials.gov), and additional sources. The outcomes selected for the systematic review were self-reported pain, pain interference, unassisted jaw opening without pain, muscle pain upon palpation, depression, and somatization. The effect measures were analyzed using a random-effect model (Review Manager computer program). RESULTS: The outcomes "longterm self-reported pain" and "long-term depression" were significantly different for the comparisons of "usual treatment" and psychosocial interventions, and they favored the latter (P < .005 and P < .05, respectively). These results must be viewed with caution due to the limited number of studies available. A tendency toward greater improvements of psychological outcomes was observed for psychosocial interventions, while physical functioning was slightly more responsive to "usual treatment." CONCLUSION: No evidence was found to distinguish the clinical effectiveness between "usual treatment" and psychosocial interventions for myofascial TMD pain. Future studies of TMD and related subdiagnoses should be reported according to core standardized outcomes to facilitate comparisons.

Tumor pardo maxilar refractario a tratamiento convencional / Maxillary brown tumour refractory to conventional therapy

Se presenta el caso de un paciente de sexo masculino, 29 años de edad, insuficiente renal crónico, con hiperparatiroidismo secundario y múltiples lesiones osteolíticas en las estructuras craneomaxilofaciales, diagnosticadas histológicamente como lesiones de células gigantes. La lesión de mayor tamaño afecta al maxilar superior, estructura raramente comprometida por este tipo de lesiones. Este tumor pardo produce gran deformidad facial y compromiso del piso orbitario, seno maxilar y fosa nasal correspondiente. No se evidenció regresión tumoral tras la paratiroidectomía y la normalización de los niveles de calcio séricos. Finalmente se realiza el remodelamiento quirúrgico del tumor pardo maxilar, con ausencia de recurrencia durante 7 años (AU)

A case is presented of a 29 year-old male patient suffering from chronic renal failure, secondary hyperparathyroidism and multiple osteolytic lesions in cranio-maxillo-facial structures, and with a histological diagnosis of giant cell lesions. The larger lesion affected the superior maxillary, a structure rarely compromised by this type of injury. This brown tumour caused a large facial deformity and compromised the orbital floor, maxillary sinus and the corresponding nostril. There was no evidence of tumour regression after parathyroidectomy and the serum calcium levels returned to normal. Finally, surgical remodeling of the maxillary brown tumour was performed, and no recurrence has been observed for 7 years (AU)

Positive association between conflicts of interest and reporting of positive results in randomized clinical trials in dentistry.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between industry funding and study results has been explored widely in medicine but not in dentistry. The authors aimed to assess the relationship between conflicts of interest (COIs) and study results. METHODS: The authors assessed all randomized clinical trials (RCTs) published between July 2010 and June 2012 in the 10 dental journals with the highest impact factors in dentistry. The authors used three definitions of COI and explored their associations with positive study results. RESULTS: Depending on the definition of COI, the odds ratio for reporting positive results varied between 2.40 (95 percent confidence interval [CI], 1.16-5.13) and 9.19 (95 percent CI, 1.71-170.64). The authors found no association between positive study results and journal of publication or area of practice. CONCLUSIONS: RCTs in which authors have some type of COI are more likely to have results that support the intervention being assessed. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: When reviewing the results of RCTs, clinicians need to be aware of the association between reporting positive study results and the type of COI disclosure and be even more careful when critically appraising and applying their results.

Strategies to assess the validity of recommendations: a study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) become quickly outdated and require a periodic reassessment of evidence research to maintain their validity. However, there is little research about this topic. Our project will provide evidence for some of the most pressing questions in this field: 1) what is the average time for recommendations to become out of date?; 2) what is the comparative performance of two restricted search strategies to evaluate the need to update recommendations?; and 3) what is the feasibility of a more regular monitoring and updating strategy compared to usual practice?. In this protocol we will focus on questions one and two. METHODS: The CPG Development Programme of the Spanish Ministry of Health developed 14 CPGs between 2008 and 2009. We will stratify guidelines by topic and by publication year, and include one CPG by strata.We will develop a strategy to assess the validity of CPG recommendations, which includes a baseline survey of clinical experts, an update of the original exhaustive literature searches, the identification of key references (reference that trigger a potential recommendation update), and the assessment of the potential changes in each recommendation.We will run two alternative search strategies to efficiently identify important new evidence: 1) PLUS search based in McMaster Premium LiteratUre Service (PLUS) database; and 2) a Restrictive Search (ReSe) based on the least number of MeSH terms and free text words needed to locate all the references of each original recommendation.We will perform a survival analysis of recommendations using the Kaplan-Meier method and we will use the log-rank test to analyse differences between survival curves according to the topic, the purpose, the strength of recommendations and the turnover. We will retrieve key references from the exhaustive search and evaluate their presence in the PLUS and ReSe search results. DISCUSSION: Our project, using a highly structured and transparent methodology, will provide guidance of when recommendations are likely to be at risk of being out of date. We will also assess two novel restrictive search strategies which could reduce the workload without compromising rigour when CPGs developers check for the need of updating.

A randomized controlled trial to assess the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of urinary catheters with silver alloy coating in spinal cord injured patients: trial protocol.

BACKGROUND: Patients with non-acute spinal cord injury that carry indwelling urinary catheters have an increased risk of urinary tract infection (UTIs). Antiseptic Silver Alloy-Coated Silicone Urinary Catheters seems to be a promising intervention to reduce UTIs; however, actual evidence cannot be extrapolated to spinal cord injured patients. The aim of this trial is to make a comparison between the use of antiseptic silver alloy-coated silicone urinary catheters and the use of standard urinary catheters in spinal cord injured patients to prevent UTIs. METHODS/DESIGN: The study will consist in an open, randomized, multicentre, and parallel clinical trial with blinded assessment. The study will include 742 spinal cord injured patients who require at least seven days of urethral catheterization as a method of bladder voiding. Participants will be online centrally randomized and allocated to one of the two study arms (silver alloy-coated or standard catheters). Catheters will be used for a maximum period of 30 days or removed earlier if the clinician considers it necessary. The main outcome will be the incidence of UTIs by the time of catheter removal or at day 30 after catheterization, the event that occurs first. Intention-to-treat analysis will be performed, as well as a primary analysis of all patients. DISCUSSION: The aim of this study is to assess whether silver alloy-coated silicone urinary catheters improve ITUs in spinal cord injured patients. ESCALE is intended to be the first study to evaluate the efficacy of the silver alloy-coated catheters in spinal cord injured patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT01803919.

Effects of probiotics in periodontal diseases: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to determine the effects of probiotics in prevention and/or treatment of periodontal diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed broad searches in the MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane databases and selected articles that satisfied the description of randomized clinical trials comparing the administration of probiotics versus placebo or another intervention to prevent or treat periodontal diseases in adult patients. RESULTS: Four randomized clinical trials were analyzed in the final review process. For the primary outcome, probing pocket depth, there would be no clinical beneficial effect of probiotics. For secondary outcomes, probiotics have shown small benefits on plaque index and gingival inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of this review, the effectiveness of probiotics on the prevention and treatment of periodontal diseases is questionable. There is currently insufficient evidence demonstrating the benefits of systematic preventative use of probiotics in patients with periodontal diseases. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The use of probiotics are described to prevent or treat periodontal diseases in some clinical trials; therefore, a systematic review of the evidence for the effect of periodontal diseases is needed.

Oral health care for patients with epidermolysis bullosa--best clinical practice guidelines.

OBJECTIVE: To provide the users with information on the current best practices for managing the oral health care of people living with EB. METHODS: A systematic literature search, in which the main topic is dental care in patients with Epidermolysis Bullosa, was performed. Consulted sources, ranging from 1970 to 2010, included MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, The Cochrane Library, DARE, and the Cochrane controlled trials register (CENTRAL). In order to formulate the recommendations of the selected studies the SIGN system was used. The first draft was analysed and discussed by clinical experts, methodologists and patients representatives on a two days consensus meeting. The resulting document went through an external review process by a panel of experts, other health care professionals, patient representatives and lay reviewers. The final document was piloted in three different centres in United Kingdom, Czech Republic and Argentina. RESULTS: The guideline is composed of 93 recommendations divided into 3 main areas: 1) Oral Care--access issues, early referral, preventative strategies, management of microstomia, prescriptions and review appointments 2) Dental treatment: general treatment modifications, radiographs, restorations, endodontics, oral rehabilitation, periodontal treatment, oral surgery and orthodontics, and 3) Anaesthetic management of dental treatment. CONCLUSIONS: A preventive protocol is today's dental management approach of choice.

Secondary versus primary closure techniques for the prevention of postoperative complications following removal of impacted mandibular third molars: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

PURPOSE: To determine the impact of secondary versus primary closure techniques on the frequency and severity of pain, facial swelling, trismus, infectious complications, and postoperative bleeding after impacted mandibular third molar extraction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Randomized controlled trials were identified through MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL, ongoing trial registers, meeting abstracts, doctoral and masters theses, and manual searching of the reference lists of eligible studies. Study selection, data extraction, risk of bias, and Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) rating of confidence in effect estimates were undertaken independently in duplicate. RESULTS: Of 1,721 identified citations, 14 studies proved eligible. Pain and facial swelling at postoperative days 3 and 7 and infectious complications at day 7 did not differ between techniques. Patients receiving secondary closure had less trismus (in millimeters) at postoperative days 3 (mean difference, 3.72; 95% confidence interval, 1.42 to 6.03, P = .002) and 7 (mean difference, 2.35; 95% confidence interval, 0.37 to 4.33; P = .02). Four randomized controlled trials reported bleeding: in 2, there was no bleeding in either group; the numbers of bleeding events with primary and secondary closures were 22 and 16 and 5 and 15, respectively, in the other 2. Because of the risk of bias and inconsistency in results, the evidence warranted, at best, low confidence in the estimates of effect across all outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Although differences between primary and secondary closure techniques after impacted mandibular third molar extraction are likely to be small, available evidence provides only low confidence in the effect estimates. The results do not support a preference for either approach.

Is adjuvant laser therapy effective for preventing pain, swelling, and trismus after surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molars? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy and safety of low-level laser energy irradiation (LLEI) for decreasing pain, swelling, and trismus after surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molars (IMTMs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Central Register of Controlled Trials of the Cochrane Library were searched from their inception, and conference proceedings, cross-references, and gray literature were searched for the last 5 years for randomized and quasi-randomized controlled trials that evaluated the effects of any type of LLEI, compared with active or inactive treatments, in patients undergoing surgical removal of IMTMs. Risk of bias in included studies was assessed by 2 independent evaluators using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. A random-effects model meta-analysis was used to estimate the mean difference of trismus between the groups. Heterogeneity was assessed using Cochran χ(2) and I(2). RESULTS: Ten eligible trials were included in this systematic review. The included studies overall had a moderate risk of bias. Because of heterogeneity in the intervention and outcomes assessments, pain and swelling outcomes were only qualitatively summarized and indicated no beneficial effects of LLEI over placebo. Patients receiving LLEI had an average of 4.2 mm (95% confidence interval, 1.2 to 7.2) and 5.2 mm (95% confidence interval, 1.8 to 8.2) less trismus than patients receiving no active treatment on the second and seventh day after the surgery, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: There was no benefit of LLEI on pain or swelling and a moderate benefit on trismus after removal of IMTMs. It is necessary to standardize the intervention and outcomes assessment and to conduct adequately powered, well-designed trials to evaluate the efficacy of LLEI.