The osseointegration of Mitek mini anchors in the mandibular condyle.

PURPOSE: This study examined the histomorphology of the bone around the Mitek mini anchors (Mitek Inc, Norwood, MA) after 3 to 59 months of implantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirteen condylar specimens from 8 patients were evaluated. Each of these patients had had previously placed Mitek mini anchors and braided polyester sutures for temporomandibular joint (TMJ) articular disc stabilization. Histologic evaluation of each specimen was performed to determine the degree of osseointegration. Each specimen was also evaluated for anchor configuration, fracture, and particulation and the presence or absence of intervening fibrous connective tissue or an inflammatory cell infiltrate. RESULTS: All anchors became osseointegrated without evidence of associated inflammation or fibrous connective tissue formation along the surface. There was no evidence of anchor fracture or particulation. CONCLUSIONS: The Mitek mini anchor can osseointegrate in the mandibular condyle. These suture anchors remain intact and biocompatible for as long as 59 months, the longest interval examined in this study.

The pullout force for Mitek mini and micro suture anchor systems in human mandibular condyles.

PURPOSE: This study examines the pullout forces and the modes of pullout for the Mitek mini and micro suture anchor systems (Mitek Inc., Norwood, MA) when inserted into the posterior aspect of the condyle. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty mandibular condyles were obtained from embalmed human cadavers. A mini anchor and a smaller micro anchor were threaded with braided size 0 and 3-0 polyester suture, respectively, and placed in the posterior aspect of each condyle. Pullout testing was performed using an Instron materials testing machine. The force and mode of pullout were recorded for each specimen. RESULTS: The findings indicate a significantly greater mean pullout force of 16.02 lbs for the larger mini anchor system as compared with the 10.57 lbs mean pullout force of the micro anchor system. The modes of pullout between these implants were also different. Intact mini suture anchor systems pulled through the cortical bone in 90% of the trials, and suture breakage occurred in 10%. The micro anchors were irreversibly deformed on pullout in 65% of the trials, whereas the suture broke in 25% of the trials, and the intact suture anchor system pulled through the cortical bone in 10%. CONCLUSIONS: The Mitek mini anchor system has a significantly greater pullout force from the mandibular condyle than the micro anchor system.

Wound healing after multisegmental Le Fort I osteotomy and transection of the descending palatine vessels.

PURPOSE: Vascular ischemia has been associated with improper soft tissue flap design, stretching of the palatal vascular pedicle, bony segmentation, transection of the descending palatal vessels, or hypotension. This study examined Le Fort I osteotomy wound healing after some of these surgical maneuvers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinically analogous four-segment Le Fort I osteotomies were accomplished through circumvestibular incisions in nine adult rhesus monkeys and the animals were killed at 0, 3, 7, 14, and 28 days after surgery. Revascularization and bone healing were studied by microangiographic and histologic techniques. RESULTS: The findings indicated that the palatal mucosa or labial-buccal gingiva and mucosa provide adequate nutrient pedicles for Le Fort I osteotomies accomplished through a circumvestibular type incision. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that segmentalization, stretching of the vascular pedicles, or transection of the descending palatine vessels have only transitory discernible effects on revascularization and bone healing.