Healthcare costs of different treatment options for condylar fractures.

Objective: As treatment options for condylar fractures have comparable outcomes, getting insight into associated costs is a first step towards implementing value-based healthcare (VBH). Therefore, we described the actual costs of the different treatment options (surgical, conservative, and expectative treatment) for condylar fractures. We expected surgical treatment to be the most expensive treatment. Study design: This is a cost-of-illness study, based on estimates from the literature. Firstly, care pathways of all treatment options were described. Secondly, the costs per step were calculated based on the literature and Dutch guidelines for economic evaluations in health care. Results: The direct treatment costs of surgical treatment (€3721 to €4040) are three to five times higher than conservative treatment (€730 to €1332). When lost productivity costs during the recovery period are included, costs of surgical treatment remain 1.5 times higher (€9511 to €9830 for surgical treatment and €6224 to €6826 for conservative treatment). The costs of expectative treatment (€5436) are lower than both other treatments. Conclusion: The costs for surgical treatment are considerably higher than those for conservative or expectative treatment, mainly related to direct treatment cost. Future research should focus on the patients' perspective, to support implementation of VBH in treating condylar fractures.

Contact stress distribution after unilateral condylar fracture with angulation of the fractured part: A finite element model study.

After a fracture of the condyle, the head of the condyle is often pulled inwards, which causes the fractured part to angulate medially. This change can cause a disbalance in the masticatory system. The disbalance could lead to contact stress differences within the temporomandibular joints (TMJs) which might induce remodelling within the TMJ to restore the balance. The contact stress in the fractured condyle during open and closing movements is expected to decrease, while the contact stress in the non-fractured condyle will increase. In a clinical situation this is hard to investigate. Therefore, a finite element model (FEM) was used. In the FEM a fractured right condyle with an angulation was induced, which was placed at different degrees, varying from 5° to 50° in steps of 5°. This study shows only minor differences in amount of contact stress between the fractured and the non-fractured condyle. The amount of contact stress in the condyles does not increase with a higher degree of angulation. However, with larger angulations, the contact stress within the fractured condyle is more centralized. Clinically, this more centralized area could be associated with complaints, such as pain. In conclusion, due to the more centralized contact stress in the fractured condyle, one would expect some minor remodelling on the fractured side with more angulation.

Changes in load distribution after unilateral condylar fracture: A finite element model study.

OBJECTIVE: Premature dental contact on the fractured side and a contralateral open bite are signs of a unilaterally fractured condyle of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). The lateral pterygoid muscle pulls the condyle inwards, causing angulation of the fractured part and shortening of the ramus. This imbalance after fracture might change the load in both TMJs and consequently induce remodeling. The present study aimed to calculate this change in load. It is hypothesized to decrease on the fractured side and increase on the non-fractured side. DESIGN: For these calculations, a finite element model (FEM) was used. In the FEM, shortening of the ramus varied from 2 mm to 16 mm; angulation, from 6.25° to 50°. RESULTS: After fracture, load on the non-fractured side increased, but only at maximal mouth opening (MMO). Simultaneously, load on the fractured side decreased, at both timepoints, i.e., MMO and closed mouth. When comparing all simulations at those time points, i.e., from 2 mm and 6.25° to 16 mm and 50°, the load in the fractured condyle declines steadily. However, for both timepoints, a threshold stands out around 6 mm shortening and 18.75° angulation: visualization of the fractured condyle showed, apart from load on the condylar head, a second point of load more medial in the TMJ which was most evident in the 6 mm - 18.75° simulation. CONCLUSIONS: These findings could implicate that the balance between both TMJs is more difficult to restore after a fracture with more than 6 mm shortening and more than 18.75° angulation.

The Effectiveness of Three-Dimensional Osteosynthesis Plates versus Conventional Plates for the Treatment of Skeletal Fractures: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

PURPOSE: To assess the difference between preformed anatomically shaped osteosynthesis plates and patient-specific implants versus conventional flat plates for the treatment of skeletal fractures in terms of anatomical reduction, operation time, approach, patient outcomes, and complications. MATERIAL AND METHODS: MEDLINE (1950 to February 2023), EMBASE (1966 to February 2023), and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (inception to February 2023) databases were searched. Eligible studies were randomised clinical trials, prospective controlled clinical trials, and prospective and retrospective cohort studies (n ≥ 10). Inclusion criteria were studies reporting the outcomes of preformed anatomically shaped osteosynthesis plates and patient-specific implants versus conventional flat plates after treating skeletal fractures. Outcome measures included anatomical reduction, stability, operation time, hospitalisation days, patients' outcomes, and complications. Two independent reviewers assessed the abstracts and analysed the complete texts and methodologies of the included studies. RESULTS: In total, 21 out of the 5181 primarily selected articles matched the inclusion criteria. A meta-analysis revealed a significant difference in operation time in favour of the preformed anatomical plates and patient-specific implants versus conventional plates. Significant differences in operation time were found for the orbital (95% CI: -50.70-7.49, p = 0.008), upper limb (95% CI: -17.91-6.13, p < 0.0001), and lower limb extremity groups (95% CI: -20.40-15.11, p < 0.00001). The mean difference in the rate of anatomical reduction in the lower limb extremity group (95% CI: 1.04-7.62, p = 0.04) was also in favour of using preformed anatomical plates and patient-specific implants versus conventional plates. CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review showed a significant mean difference in surgery time favouring the use of preformed anatomical plates and patient-specific implants for orbital, upper, and lower limb extremity fractures. Additionally, preformed anatomical plates and patient-specific implants in the lower limb group result in a significantly higher rate of anatomical reduction versus conventional flat plates.

Load distribution after unilateral condylar fracture with shortening of the ramus: a finite element model study.

OBJECTIVES: After a fracture of the condyle, the fractured ramus is often shortened, which causes premature dental contact on the fractured side and a contralateral open bite. The imbalance could change the load in the temporomandibular joints (TMJs). This change could lead to remodelling of the TMJs to compensate for the imbalance in the masticatory system. The load in the non-fractured condyle is expected to increase, and the load in the fractured condyle to decrease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: These changes cannot be measured in a clinical situation. Therefore a finite element model (FEM) of the masticatory system was used. In the FEM a fractured right condyle with shortening of the ramus was induced, which varied from 2 to 16 mm. RESULTS: Results show that, with a larger shortening of the ramus, the load in the fractured condyle decreases and the load in the non-fractured condyle increases. In the fractured condyle during closed mouth a major descent in load, hence a cut-off point, was visible between a shortening of 6 mm and 8 mm. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the change of load could be associated with remodelling on both condyles due to shortening of the ramus. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The cut-off point implies that shortening over 6 mm could present more difficulty for the body to compensate.

How dentists and oral and maxillofacial surgeons deal with tooth extraction without a valid clinical indication.

OBJECTIVES: This study pertains to a secondary data analysis aimed at determining differences between oral and maxillofacial surgeons (OMFSs) and dentists handling dental extractions without an evident clinical indication. STUDY DESIGN: A survey of 18 questions was conducted among 256 OMFSs in the Netherlands and a random sample of 800 dentists Respondents could answer the questions in writing or online. The data was collected in the period from November 2019 to January 2020, during which two reminders were sent. Analysis of the data took place via descriptive statistics and Chi Square test. RESULTS: The response rate was 28.1% (n = 72) for OMFSs and 30.3% (n = 242) for dentists. In the past three years, 81.9% (n = 59) of the OMFSs and 68.0% (n = 164) of the dentists received a request for extraction without a clinical indication. The most common reasons were financial and severe dental fear (OMFSs: 64.9 and 50.9% vs dentists: 77.4 and 36.5%). Dentists were significantly more likely (75.6%, n = 114) than OMFS (60.7%, n = 34) to comply with their last extraction request without a clinical indication. Almost none of them regretted the extraction afterwards. As for the request itself, it was found that 17.5% (n = 10) of the OMFSs and 12.5% (n = 20) of the dentists did not check for patients' mental competency (p = 0.352). CONCLUSIONS: Given that most of the interviewed dental professionals complied with non-dental extraction requests when such extractions are ethically and legally precarious, recommendations for handling such requests are greatly needed.

Personalized Medicine Workflow in Post-Traumatic Orbital Reconstruction.

Restoration of the orbit is the first and most predictable step in the surgical treatment of orbital fractures. Orbital reconstruction is keyhole surgery performed in a confined space. A technology-supported workflow called computer-assisted surgery (CAS) has become the standard for complex orbital traumatology in many hospitals. CAS technology has catalyzed the incorporation of personalized medicine in orbital reconstruction. The complete workflow consists of diagnostics, planning, surgery and evaluation. Advanced diagnostics and virtual surgical planning are techniques utilized in the preoperative phase to optimally prepare for surgery and adapt the treatment to the patient. Further personalization of the treatment is possible if reconstruction is performed with a patient-specific implant and several design options are available to tailor the implant to individual needs. Intraoperatively, visual appraisal is used to assess the obtained implant position. Surgical navigation, intraoperative imaging, and specific PSI design options are able to enhance feedback in the CAS workflow. Evaluation of the surgical result can be performed both qualitatively and quantitatively. Throughout the entire workflow, the concepts of CAS and personalized medicine are intertwined. A combination of the techniques may be applied in order to achieve the most optimal clinical outcome. The goal of this article is to provide a complete overview of the workflow for post-traumatic orbital reconstruction, with an in-depth description of the available personalization and CAS options.

Financial, psychological, or cultural reasons for extracting healthy or restorable teeth.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine how often dental patients request extraction for nondental reasons and how dentists handle such requests. METHODS: The authors conducted a survey among 800 Dutch dentists from November 17, 2019, through January 5, 2020. The questionnaire contained 17 items, including a hypothetical case vingette. RESULTS: A total of 242 dentists responded to the survey (response rate was 30.3%, 48.3% of respondents were women, and mean [standard deviation] age was 45.3 [11.8] years). Sixty-eight percent of respondents reported that they had been confronted with a request for extraction on nondental grounds in the past 3 years. One-half of these dentists received such a request 5 times or fewer, 21.3% received such a request 6 through 10 times, 11.3% received such a request 11 through 20 times, and 8.8% received such a request 21 through 30 times. Their most recent request concerned a financial reason (49.7%), a combination of psychological and financial reasons (27.7%), a psychological reason (18.2%), or another reason (4.4%). Most dentists (87.5%) evaluated the patient's competency to make health care decisions. Of all nondental extraction requests, 75.6% (n = 114) were granted. Only 4.0% (n = 6) of the dentists regretted the extraction. Most dentists (82.0%, n = 191) would have refused the extraction in the hypothetical case vignette. CONCLUSIONS: Nondental requests for extraction are relatively common. Although dentists are reluctant in theory, they are likely to grant such requests in everyday practice, particularly if the patient cannot afford an indicated conservative treatment. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Dentists should keep in mind that they cannot ethically or legally be required to perform an intervention deemed harmful, even if an autonomous patient made the request.

Surgical treatment of fractures of the zygomaticomaxillary complex: effect of fixation on repositioning and stability. A systematic review.

Management of zygomaticomaxillary complex (ZMC) fractures can be challenging. Consequently, there is a difference in treatment amongst clinicians. In the literature it remains unclear if the number of fixation points affects the quality of the anatomical reduction, stability through time, and potential complications. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the outcome of no fixation, one-point fixation and multiple-point fixation of ZMC fractures. MEDLINE, EMBASE and The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched to identify eligible studies. After screening 925 articles, 17 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Based on this systematic review no clear conclusions can be drawn on how stability, repositioning, and postoperative complications are affected by the number of fixation points. Nevertheless, it can be concluded that the advantage of multiple approaches is direct visualisation, and the downside is potentially approach-related complications. This review suggests that intraoperatively assisted cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) can help improve the quality of the repositioning and by minimising the number of fixation points, the number of postoperative complications could be further reduced.

Reasons for Tooth Removal in Adults: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: Most tooth extractions are performed for dental reasons, but there are also nondental and nonmedical reasons for extractions; these include psychological, financial, religious, and cultural reasons as well as simply granting a patient's request. This systematic review was performed to examine the proportion and range of indications associated with tooth removal in context of dental, nondental, and medical reasons. METHODS: A search conducted using PubMed, Embase, and APA PsycINFO identified 6038 studies. Three studies (4396 extractions in total) could be included for the risk of bias assessment and qualitative data synthesis. RESULTS: The reported indications for tooth extraction on dental and medical grounds included caries with the proportion of all extractions ranging from 36.0% to 55.3%, periodontitis from 24.8% to 38.1%, trauma from 0.8% to 4.4%, periapical disease from 7.3% to 19.1%, orthodontics from 2.5% to 7.2%, and other reasons from 4.5% to 9.2%. The proportion for patient requests ranged from 3.6% to 5.9%, but specific information regarding the actual reasons for extraction could not be determined. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that caries and periodontitis are the most common indications for tooth extraction and that studies to reliably estimate the incidence of nondental and nonmedical motivation for extraction are lacking. Given that the final decision on performing or refusing extractions, whether it be based on dental, nondental, or nonmedical reasons, largely rests with the dentist and oral surgeon, detailed guidelines are warranted.

Technical Note on Three- and Four-Wall Orbital Reconstructions With Patient-Specific Implants.

ABSTRACT: Orbital reconstruction is one of the most complex procedures in maxillofacial surgery. It becomes even more complex when all references to the original anatomy are lost. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of techniques for complex three- and four-wall orbital reconstructions. Preoperative virtual surgical planning is essential when considering different reconstruction possibilities. The considerations that may lead to different approaches are described, and the advantages and drawbacks of each technique are evaluated. It is recommended to reconstruct solitary three-wall or four-wall orbital defects with multiple patientspecific implants. Optimizations of this treatment protocol are suggested, and their effects on predictability are demonstrated in a case presentation of a four-wall defect reconstruction with multiple patient-specific implants.

Minimally Invasive Treatment With a Patient Specific Implant in Reconstruction of Isolated Anterior Wall Fracture of the Frontal Sinus.

ABSTRACT: Isolated fractures of the anterior wall of the frontal sinus are most often treated through a coronal approach. Although the coronal approach is a relatively easy procedure, the size of the incision is causing more problems related to patient morbidity and recovery time than smaller approaches. A novel, minimal invasive procedure for reconstruction of the anterior wall fracture of the frontal sinus is presented in this article. An endoscopic assisted approach to camouflage the defect of the anterior wall and restore the contour of the frontal bone with a titanium patient specific implant is described in 2 patients. The aim of this procedure is to evaluate the effect on the operating time, recovery time, length of hospital stay and facial scarring compared to the conventional coronal approach. Postoperative evaluation was performed by superimposing pre and postoperative 3D stereophotographs and computed tomography scans. A distance map demonstrated an accurate reconstruction of the preoperatively planned contour. Postoperative recovery of both patients was quick and uneventful with no complications. The use of endoscopically inserted patient specific implant for contour reconstruction in anterior wall fractures of the frontal sinus seems to offer a predictable and minimal invasive alternative to the conventional approach.

A nonsurgical approach with repeated orthoptic evaluation is justified for most blow-out fractures.

OBJECTIVE: This study presents the results of an updated clinical protocol for orbital blow-out fractures, with a special emphasis on nonsurgical treatment and orthoptic evaluation of functional improvement. METHODS: A two-centre multidisciplinary prospective cohort study was designed to monitor the results of a clinical protocol by assessing ductions, diplopia, globe position, and fracture size. Patients underwent clinical assessment and orthoptic evaluation at first presentation and then at 2 weeks and 3/6/12 months after nonsurgical or surgical treatment. Outcome parameters were field of binocular single vision (BSV), ductions, degree of enophthalmos, a diplopia quality-of-life (QoL) questionnaire, and other sequelae or surgical complications. RESULTS: 46 of the 58 patients who completed the 3, 6 and/or 12-month follow-up received nonsurgical treatment. There was full recovery without diplopia or enophthalmos (>2 mm) in 45 of the 58 patients. The other 13 patients had limited diplopia, mainly in extreme upward gaze (average BSV 90). Five of those 13 patients did not experience impairment of diplopia in daily life. The average QoL score at the end of follow-up was 97. No patients developed late enophthalmos. CONCLUSION: This study showed that a high percentage of patients with orbital floor and/or medial wall fracture recovered spontaneously without lasting diplopia or cosmetically disfiguring enophthalmos. The conservative treatment protocol assessed here underlines the importance of orthoptic evaluation of functional parameters.

Is masticatory performance affected after a unilateral condylar fracture? A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Mandibular fractures, especially condylar fractures, are one of the most common facial fractures. Trauma to this region could possibly compromise masticatory performance, which is a vital function for humans. OBJECTIVE: To objectively determine masticatory performance (Mixing Ability Test; MAT) in patients treated for a unilateral condylar fracture, thereby comparing patients in open and closed treatment groups, and assessing whether there is a positive relationship between this performance and subjective mandibular function (Mandibular Functional Impairment Questionnaire; MFIQ). METHODS: Fifty-eight patients were enrolled in a cross-sectional study and examined on an additional appointment at least 1 year after trauma, during which the patients performed the MAT and completed the MFIQ. The Spearman test was used to assess the correlation between the Mixing Ability Index (MAI) and the MFIQ score. A linear regression was used to explore the effects of different factors on the MAI. RESULTS: The correlation between objective masticatory performance and the subjective mandibular function was positive (r = 0.250; P = 0.033). Better masticatory performance was observed in patients who were male, received physiotherapy, had no other mandibular fractures and/or had satisfactory self-perceived occlusion. No significant difference in the MAI was found between the open and closed treatment groups. CONCLUSION: Independent of the chosen treatment, at least 1 year after treatment, individuals who experienced a unilateral fracture of the mandibular condyle exhibit masticatory capacity comparable with that of individuals who have not suffered such injuries.

The advantages of advanced computer-assisted diagnostics and three-dimensional preoperative planning on implant position in orbital reconstruction.

OBJECTIVE: Advanced three-dimensional (3D) diagnostics and preoperative planning are the first steps in computer-assisted surgery (CAS). They are an integral part of the workflow, and allow the surgeon to adequately assess the fracture and to perform virtual surgery to find the optimal implant position. The goal of this study was to evaluate the accuracy and predictability of 3D diagnostics and preoperative virtual planning without intraoperative navigation in orbital reconstruction. METHODS: In 10 cadaveric heads, 19 complex orbital fractures were created. First, all fractures were reconstructed without preoperative planning (control group) and at a later stage the reconstructions were repeated with the help of preoperative planning. Preformed titanium mesh plates were used for the reconstructions by two experienced oral and maxillofacial surgeons. The preoperative virtual planning was easily accessible for the surgeon during the reconstruction. Computed tomographic scans were obtained before and after creation of the orbital fractures and postoperatively. Using a paired t-test, implant positioning accuracy (translation and rotations) of both groups were evaluated by comparing the planned implant position with the position of the implant on the postoperative scan. RESULTS: Implant position improved significantly (P < 0.05) for translation, yaw and roll in the group with preoperative planning (Table 1). Pitch did not improve significantly (P = 0.78). CONCLUSION: The use of 3D diagnostics and preoperative planning without navigation in complex orbital wall fractures has a positive effect on implant position. This is due to a better assessment of the fracture, the possibility of virtual surgery and because the planning can be used as a virtual guide intraoperatively. The surgeon has more control in positioning the implant in relation to the rim and other bony landmarks.

Should Virtual Mirroring Be Used in the Preoperative Planning of an Orbital Reconstruction?

PURPOSE: Mirroring has been used as a diagnostic tool in orbital wall fractures for many years, but limited research is available proving the assumed symmetry of orbits. The purpose of this study was to evaluate volume and contour differences between orbital cavities in healthy humans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, the left and right orbital cavities of a consecutive sample of patients' computed tomograms were measured. Inclusion criteria were patients with no sign of orbital or sinus pathology or fracture. Outcome variables were differences in volume and contour. Descriptive statistics and Student paired t test were used for data analysis of orbital volume and distance maps were used for analysis of orbital contour. RESULTS: The sample was composed of 100 patients with a mean age of 57; 50% were men. The total mean orbital volume was 27.53 ± 3.11 mL. Mean difference between cavities was 0.44 ± 0.31 mL or 1.59% (standard deviation [SD], 1.10%). The orbital contour showed high similarity, with an absolute mean left-versus-right difference of 0.82 mm (SD, 0.23 mm). CONCLUSION: The authors hypothesize that the measured differences between right and left orbital volumes and contours are clinically minor. In consequence, the use of mirroring tools as part of preoperative planning in orbital reconstruction is legitimate with the aim of simulating the pre-traumatized anatomy.