The Use of Platelet Concentrates in the Reconstruction of the Alveolar Cleft Defect: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate quantitative and qualitative outputs when comparing the incidence of platelet concentrates (PCs) combined with autogenous bone grafts to an autograft control group for the reconstruction of alveolar cleft defects. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: Randomized and nonrandomized controlled clinical trials where PCs were used in the reconstruction of alveolar cleft defects. INTERVENTIONS: Use of PCs in combination with autogenous bone graft in the experimental group and autogenous bone graft alone in the control group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Average bone formation and bone density were evaluated, mean differences were calculated and pooled by a meta-analysis technique. Additionally, clinical outcomes such as wound dehiscence, closure of the oronasal fistula, pain, swelling, discharges, infections, and bleeding were considered in the qualitative synthesis. RESULTS: After an evaluation of forty-nine articles, nineteen were considered for the review. The qualitative assessment of bone density, bone formation, and clinical outcomes showed no differences between groups in most of the included studies. The meta-analysis showed no statistical differences between PCs groups when compared to the control group in bone density at three months (mean difference 45.67 HU, P = .23) and six months (mean difference 48.57 HU, P = .64). Neither were statistical differences in the percentage of regenerated bone volume at six months (mean difference 6.39%, P = .15) and the volume of newly formed bone at 12 months (mean difference 0.37 mm3, P = .99). CONCLUSIONS: There were no significant differences in terms of bone formation, bone density, and clinical outputs between groups.

Development of an Intervertebral Disc for Cervical Spondylosis Composed of Seeded Biomaterials.

Most of the current artificial disc prosthesis presented a restricted range of motion. Here we propose the design of a novel intervertebral disc composed of carbon fiber, hyaluronic methylcellulose hydrogel loaded with mesenchymal stem cells and polycaprolactone. The prosthesis was biomechanically evaluated under two static physiological conditions to study the mechanical influence of the material on the device. The results obtained in the simulations showed a not only a congruent behavior with preclinical condition, but also that the proposed materials met the desired biomechanical properties Clinical Relevance- Cervical spondylosis is a degenerative disease of the human spine that causes wear and tear of the cervical intervertebral discs. Nowadays, the proposed surgical solutions do not allow fully recovery of normal movement because the surgical intervention do not emulate the natural range of motion, may lack shock absorption mechanisms, show signs of fatigue over time affecting its durability, and do not have good bone adhesion. Therefore, hypermobility and problems of heterotopic ossification may restrict the range of motion.