Dupuytren's Disease: A Novel Minimally Invasive Pull-Through Technique.

Background Dupuytren's disease decreases quality of life significantly and often requires surgical treatment, nevertheless there is no actual gold standard. The aim of this study was to introduce the use of minimally invasive pull-through technique. Methods From 2016 to 2020, 52 patients suffering from Dupuytren's contracture were treated with the minimally invasive pull-through technique. We evaluated the improvement in range of motion, pain, disability, and quality of life in the long term. Total extension deficit, quick disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand (QuickDASH), and EuroQol five dimensions-five levels index were systematically scored before each surgical intervention and reevaluated after 24 months. Results Fourteen patients (26.9%) had already received a previous intervention (percutaneous needle aponeurotomy or collagenase Clostridium histolyticum ). The mean preoperative total active extension deficit was 84.0 ± 23.3 degrees (55-130 degrees). Mean follow-up was 36 months. There were no cases of tendon rupture or neurovascular injury. Total active extension deficit at the final follow-up was 3.4 ± 2.3 degrees (0-12 degrees). The mean active range of motion of the MCP and PIP joints were, respectively, 90.5 ± 3.3 degrees (85-96 degrees) and 82.7 ± 2.5 degrees (80-87 degrees). At 24 months after cord excision, a mean 10.7 points improvement in the QuickDASH questionnaire was registered ( p < 0.001). Pull-through technique was equally effective both on patients with a primary or a recurrent disease. Eight patients (15.4%) had a recurrence of disease in the metacarpophalangeal joint or proximal interphalangeal joint. Conclusion The pull-through technique is a simple, accessible, and effective technique for the treatment of Dupuytren's contracture. The use of palmar mini-incisions combined with minimal dissection has a low risk of iatrogenic injury to the neurovascular bundles and tendons, and has a low risk of recurrence rate. This study reflects level of evidence IV.

"No-back-scar" Latissimus Dorsi Muscle Flap and Tissue Expander: A Valuable Strategy for Secondary Breast Reconstructions.

An overall complication rates for implant-based breast reconstruction (IBBR) have been reported from 29 to 46%, particularly in the setting of adjuvant radiotherapy. Although the majority of the literature describes autologous conversion in such scenario, a microsurgical flap is not always feasible. The aim of the paper is to assess surgical and patient-reported outcomes of breast reconstruction using a Latissimus Dorsi muscle Flap (LDMF), harvested without a back scar, in combination with a tissue expander for a two-staged reconstruction in the setting of a previously failed IBBR. All consecutive patients undergoing a two-stages LDMF IBBR between January 2016 and June 2020 were retrospectively identified. A minimal length vertical incision along the posterior axillary line was used for LD flap harvest. Demographic, clinical and surgical data were collected. Aesthetic outcome was evaluated with the Aesthetic Item Scale, and BREAST-Q was used to assess patients' reported outcomes. Twenty-one patients met the inclusion criteria. Mean age was 45.6 years, and the average follow-up was 41.2 months after tissue expander replacement with definitive implant. All patients completed the secondary reconstructive procedure, without major complications both at reconstructive and donor flap site. All women reported to be very satisfied with the final breast reconstruction. Second-attempt implant-based breast reconstruction for patients with a previously failed IBBR is challenging. A conversion from prosthetic to a mixed breast reconstruction with a "no-back scar" LD flap and tissue expander can be considered as a valuable strategy, especially when an abdominal-based autologous breast reconstruction is not feasible or refused by the patients.Level of Evidence IV This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

The Effect of Menopause Hypoestrogenism on Osteogenic Differentiation of Periodontal Ligament Cells (PDLC) and Stem Cells (PDLCs): A Systematic Review.

(1) Background: Menopause is a physiological condition typified by drastic hormonal changes, and the effects of this transition have long-term significant clinical implications on the general health, including symptoms or physical changes. In menopausal women, the periodontium can be affected directly or through neural mechanism by oestrogen (E2) deficiency. The majority of the biological effects of E2 are modulated via both oestrogen receptor-α (ERα) and oestrogen receptor- ß (ERß). There is evidence that hypoestrogenism has a substantial impact on the aetiology, manifestation and severity of periodontitis, via the regulation of the expression of osteoprogesterin and RANKL in human periodontal ligament cells through ERß. However, the mechanistic understanding of oestrogen in periodontal status has been partially clarified. The aim of this paper was to synopsize the recent scientific evidence concerning the link between the menopause and periodontitis, through the investigation of physio-pathological impact of the oestrogen deficiency on osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs and PDLSC, as well as the dynamic change of ERα and ERß. (2) Methods: Search was conducted for significant studies by exploring electronic PubMed and EMBASE databases, and it was independently performed by two researchers. All studies on the impact of oestrogen level on alveolar bone resorption were searched from 2005 to July 2020. Data selection was in concordance with PRISMA guidelines. (3) Results: Eight studies met the criteria and were included in this systematic review. All studies reported that oestrogen deficiency impairs the osteogenic and osteoblastic differentiation of PDL cells and oestrogen affects the bone formation capacity of cells. Seven studies were conducted on animal samples, divided into two groups: the OVX animals and animals who received the sham operation. (4) Conclusions: There is a multitude of data available showing the influence of menopause on periodontal status. However, the evidence of this line to investigation needs more research and could help explain the physiological linkage between menopause state and periodontal disease.

Inflammatory Status and Glycemic Control Level of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Periodontitis: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Based on the holistic approach to prevention diabetic disease, the role of periodontal inflammation in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is under intensive scrutiny. Data from clinical trials have shown benefit from a periodontal therapy in providing patients with type 2 diabetes improvement despite relatively disappointing long-terms response rates. The aim of this study was to investigate the short-term glycemic control level and systemic inflammatory status after periodontal therapy. METHODS: This was a randomized trial with a 6-months follow-up. Participants aged 56.4 ± 7.9 years with diagnosed type 2 diabetes and periodontitis were enrolled. Among the 187 type 2 diabetic patients, 93 were randomly assigned to receive non-surgical periodontal treatment immediately and 94 to receive the delayed treatment. Within and between groups comparison was done during the study period, and the differences between groups were assessed. RESULTS: The difference between HbA1c values at baseline (Mdn = 7.7) and 6 months after non-surgical periodontal treatment (Mdn = 7.2) was statistically significant, U = 3174.5, p = 0.012, r = 0.187. However, although technically a positive correlation, the relationship between the glycated hemoglobin value and periodontal variables was weak. The differences between both the groups over 6 months were not statistically considerable, failing to reach statistical significance. At 6 months the difference between groups about the C-reactive protein (CRP) levels was statistically significant, U=1839.5, p = 0, r = 0.472, with a lower concentration for the intervention group. Furthermore, the intervention group showed a statistically significant difference between baseline and 6 months evaluation (U = 2606.5, p = 0, r = 0.308). CONCLUSIONS: The periodontal intervention potentially may allow individuals with type 2 diabetes to improve glycemic control and CRP concentrations, and diabetes alters the periodontal status.

Gingival Crevicular Blood as a Potential Screening Tool: A Cross Sectional Comparative Study.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes is known to be one of the major global epidemic diseases, significantly associated with mortality and morbidity worldwide, conferring a substantial burden to the health care system. The epidemiological transition of this chronic disease tends to worsen unless preventive health strategies are implemented. Appropriate screening devices and standardized methods are crucial to prevent this potentially inauspicious life condition. Currently, the glucometer is the conventional device employed for blood glucose level determination that outputs the blood glucose reading. Glucometer performed in the dental office may be an important device in screening diabetes, so it can be addressed during a periodontal examination. Because gingival blood is a useful source to detect the glucose level, the focus is placed on the opportunity that might provide valuable diagnostic information. This study aimed to compare gingival crevicular blood with finger-stick blood glucose measurements using a self-monitoring glucometer, to evaluate whether gingival crevicular blood could be an alternative to allow accurate chairside glucose testing. METHODS: A cross-sectional comparative study was performed among a 31-67-year-old population. Seventy participants with diagnosed type 2 diabetes and seventy healthy subjects, all with positive bleeding on probing, were enrolled. The gingival crevicular blood was collected using a glucometer to estimate the blood glucose level and compared with finger-stick blood glucose level. RESULTS: The mean capillary blood glucose and gingival crevicular blood levels from all samples were, respectively, 160.42 ± 31.31 mg/dL and 161.64 ± 31.56 mg/dL for diabetic participants and 93.51 ± 10.35 mg/dL and 94.47 ± 9.91 mg/dL for healthy patients. In both groups, the difference between gingival crevicular blood and capillary blood glucose levels was non-significant (P < 0.05). The highly significant correlation between capillary blood glucose and gingival crevicular blood (r = 0.9834 for diabetic patients and r = 0.8153 for healthy participants) in both the groups was found. CONCLUSIONS: Gingival crevicular blood test was demonstrated as a feasible and useful primary screening tool test for detecting diabetes and for glucose estimation in non-diabetic patients. Use of gingival crevicular blood for screening is an attractive way of identifying a reasonable option of finger-stick blood glucose measurement under the appropriate circumstances. Rapid assessment may precede diagnostic evaluation in diabetic as well as healthy patients with acute severe bleeding. In addition, gingival crevicular blood levels may be needed to monitor the diabetic output.

The Effect of Gaseous Ozone Therapy in Conjunction with Periodontal Treatment on Glycated Hemoglobin Level in Subjects with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: An Unmasked Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: It is established that inflammation is involved in the pathogenesis of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) by promoting insulin resistance and impaired beta cell function in the pancreas. Among the hypothesized independent risk factors implicated in the pathogenetic basis of disease, periodontal infection has been proposed to promote an amplification of the magnitude of the advanced glycation end product (AGE)-mediated upregulation of cytokine synthesis and secretion. These findings suggest an interrelationship between periodontal disease and type 2 diabetes, describing poor metabolic control in subjects with periodontitis as compared to nondiabetic subjects and more severe periodontitis in subjects with T2DM as compared to a healthy population, with a significant positive correlation between periodontal inflammatory parameters and glycated hemoglobin level. Results from clinical trials show that periodontal treatment is able to improve glycemic control in subjects with diabetes. Many therapeutic strategies have been developed to improve periodontal conditions in conjunction with conventional treatment, among which ozone (O3) is of specific concern. The principal aim of this trial was to compare the clinical effectiveness of an intensive periodontal intervention consisting of conventional periodontal treatment in conjunction with ozone gas therapy in reducing glycated hemoglobin level in type 2 diabetic patients and standard periodontal treatment. METHODS: This study was a 12-month unmasked randomized trial and included 100 patients aged 40-74 years older, with type 2 diabetes mellitus diagnosed. All the patients received conventional periodontal treatment, or periodontal treatment in conjunction with ozone gas therapy in a randomly assigned order (1:1). The primary outcome was a clinical measure of glycated hemoglobin level at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months from randomization. Secondary outcomes were changes in periodontal inflammatory parameters. RESULTS: At 12 months, the periodontal treatment in conjunction with ozone gas therapy did not show significant differences than standard therapy in decreasing glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) level and the lack of significant differences in balance is evident. CONCLUSIONS: Although the change was not significant, periodontal treatment in conjunction with the gaseous ozone therapy tended to reduce the levels of glycated hemoglobin. The study shows a benefit with ozone therapy as compared to traditional periodontal treatment.

Does Periodontal Inflammation Affect Type 1 Diabetes in Childhood and Adolescence? A Meta-Analysis.

The emergence of link between periodontal disease and diabetes has created conditions for analyzing new interdisciplinary approach making toward tackling oral health and systemic issues. As periodontal disease is a readily modifiable risk factor this association has potential clinical implications. The aim of this paper was systematically review the extant literature related to analytics data in order to identify the association between type 1 diabetes (T1DM) in childhood and adolescence with periodontal inflammation. Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we conducted a database search between 2004 and 2019. A manual search of the literature was conducted as an additional phase of the search process, with the aim of identifying studies that were missed in the primary search. One hundred and thirty-nine records were screened and 10 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Most studies were of moderate methodological quality. Outcomes included assessments of diabetes and periodontal status. In diabetic populations, compared to healthy subjects, interindividual differences in periodontal status are reflected in higher severity of periodontal inflammation. The most reported barriers to evidence uptake were the intrinsic limits of cross-sectional report data and relevant research, and lack of timely research output. Based on the evidence presented within the literature, the aforementioned biomarkers correlate with poor periodontal status in type 1 diabetic patients. Whilst the corpus of the evidence suggests that there may be an association between periodontal status and type 1 diabetes, study designs and methodological limitations hinder interpretation of the current research.

Does Diabetes Induce the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) Expression in Periodontal Tissues? A Systematic Review.

AIM: Diabetes and periodontal disease are both chronic pathological conditions linked by several underlying biological mechanisms, in which the inflammatory response plays a critical role, and their association has been largely recognized. Recently, attention has been given to diabetes as an important mediator of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) overexpression in periodontal tissues, by virtue of its ability to affect microvasculature. This review aims to summarize the findings from studies that explored VEGF expression in diabetic patients with periodontitis, compared to periodontally healthy subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic literature review was performed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A PubMed search of select medical subject heading (MeSH) terms was carried out to identify all studies reporting findings about VEGF expression in periodontal tissues of diabetic patients up to May 2018. The inclusion criteria were studies on VEGF expression in periodontally diseased tissues of diabetic patients compared with nondiabetic subjects, with any method of analysis, and published in the English language. RESULTS: Eight articles met the inclusion criteria. Immunohistochemistry was used in six of the studies, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (real-time RT-PCR) aiming to quantify mRNA VEGF expression was used in one study, and ELISA analysis was used for one study. Compared with nondiabetic patients, a higher VEGF expression in gingival tissue and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples in diabetic patients with periodontitis was reported. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, novel evidence for the VEGF expression within the periodontal tissue of diabetic patients paves the way for further studies on the role of this protein in neovascularization physiology and pathophysiology in microvasculature of the periodontium.

Impact of Periodontal Inflammation on Nutrition and Inflammation Markers in Hemodialysis Patients.

Background: Malnutrition-inflammation complex syndrome (MICS) is a common and usually concurrent condition occurring in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD), with a pathogenesis linked to biological and in situ environmental traditional risk factors. Periodontitis, one of the major types of infection-driven inflammation, often co-occurs in the in the hemodialysis population and correlates with markers of malnutrition and inflammation, such as albumin, creatinine, and C-reactive protein. Aim: The present study aimed to determine whether the periodontal inflammatory status parameters correlate with the albumin, creatinine, and C-reactive protein serum concentrations in HD patients, and investigate whether periodontal treatment improves these markers of nutritional and systemic inflammation. Materials and Methods: The serum creatinine, albumin, and C-reactive Protein (CRP) levels were measured at baseline and after non-surgical periodontal treatment, at 3 months and 6 months. Results: At 3 months, a significant correlation between plaque index and C-reactive protein (p = 0.012), bleeding on probing and C-reactive protein (p < 0.0019), and clinical attachment level and C-reactive protein (p = 0.022) was found. No significant correlation was found between clinical periodontal parameters and nutrition markers at each time. Conclusions: Our results confirmed the association between C-reactive protein serum concentration and periodontal inflammatory status, but further research is necessary to identify the contributing role of periodontitis on the onset and progression of MICS.