Early Childhood (0 to 5 years) Presents the Greatest Risk for Facial Dog Bites.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study is to compare the characteristics of dog bite wounds to the face and that of the rest of the body among the pediatric population in the United States and to determine independent risk factors for dog bite wounds to the face. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the Kids' Inpatient Database. There were multiple, heterogenous predictor variables. The primary outcome variable was a facial dog bite. A multivariate logistic regression was employed to identify independent risk factors for the primary outcome variable. A P value less than .05 was the threshold for statistical significance. RESULTS: Our final sample consisted of 9,057 patients who suffered dog bite injuries, of which 2,913 (32.2%) occurred on the face. Relative to individuals aged 16-20 years, individuals aged 0-5 (odds ratio [OR] 5.7; confidence interval [CI] 4.0, 8.1), 6-10 (OR 3.8; CI 2.6, 5.5), and 11-15 years (OR 1.6; CI 1.1, 2.5) were all independently associated with increased odds of incurring a facial dog bite injury. Patients who were not admitted electively were 2.5 times (CI 1.4, 4.6) more likely to incur a facial dog bite injury relative to patients who were admitted electively. CONCLUSIONS: Young children (0-5 years) were at the greatest risk for facial dog bites relative to children aged 16-20 years. Dog bites that were admitted on emergency were more likely to occur on the face relative to those that were electively admitted to the hospital. To reduce the risk for facial dog bites and the host of chronic psychological ramifications that accompany them, established preventative strategies ought to be exercised.

Hyperbaric oxygen is still needed in the management and prevention of mandibular necrosis: a response to Mr. Richard Clarke.

Mr. Richard Clarke presents in this Journal his arguments against continued application of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy to the pre-extraction neoadjuvant treatment or the treatment of frank mandibular ORN. In the same article he advocates a promising renewed interest in HBO2 as a radiosensitizer. Arguments against HBO2 prior to extractions are based on several papers which consistently include low-risk patients. The just-released HOPON trial reports a negative pre-extraction outcome for HBO2, but patients were enrolled with radiation doses as low as 50Gy. For advanced mandibular necrosis (Marx Stage III) requiring resection, fibular free flap reconstruction is advocated. A high complication rate with free flaps is acknowledged but the magnitude of these complications is not discussed. A cost savings for this procedure is suggested, but no mention is made of the typical cost of the procedure ($90,000) or the requirement of a typical one-week hospital stay, including an initial one or two days in the ICU. Nor is mention made of the very low rate of subsequent dental rehabilitation. The success reported by Delainian, et al. employing pentoxifylline, Vitamin E and sometimes a bisphosphonate is equated to the four decades of HBO2 success with the Marx protocol for Stage I and II ORN. In the phase II trial by Delainian (not randomized) six of her 54 patients died secondary to sepsis, and she graded patients as complete responders if 5mm or less bone was exposed. Even at entry patients had an average of only 1.7 cm exposed bone and treatment was prolonged (16 + or -9 months). Any cost comparison studies will have to account for the indirect expenses of this prolonged treatment including lost productivity.

Reconstruction of a Post-Traumatic Maxillary Ridge Using a Radial Forearm Free Flap and Immediate Tissue Engineering (Bone Morphogenetic Protein, Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate, and Cortical-Cancellous Bone): Case Report.

The purpose of this article is to describe reconstruction of the maxillary alveolar ridge by use of a microvascular free flap combined with an immediate tissue-engineered bone graft. This novel surgical technique involved the use of a radial forearm free flap and immediate allogeneic avascular bone graft augmented with bone morphogenetic protein and bone marrow aspirate concentrate. A poly-d,l-lactic acid mesh was used as a containment unit for the bone graft. The patient was successfully treated with a viable radial forearm free flap for soft tissue and regeneration of bone with adequate height and width, which allowed the placement of 3 dental implants with excellent arch coordination. We believe this is the first published case describing such a technique to reconstruct the maxillary alveolus.

Regeneration of a Tooth in a Tissue-Engineered Mandible After Resection of a Central Giant Cell Tumor. Demonstrating Evidence of Functional Matrix Theory and Ectodermal Origin of Teeth in a Human Model-A Case Report.

Central giant cell tumors (CGCTs) are uncommon lesions occurring in the jaw. They are benign but locally destructive osteolytic lesions. They usually occur in pediatric patients 5 to 15 years of age. Multiple noninvasive modalities of treatment (intralesional steroids, interferon, calcitonin, and denosumab) have been described for those lesions, but for those that are refractory to treatment, enucleation and curettage or resection is a curative surgery. This case report describes a pediatric patient who was diagnosed with an aggressive CGCT of the left mandible encompassing the right angle to the condyle. The lesion became refractory to noninvasive treatments and immediate resection and reconstruction was performed using principles of tissue engineering. After 5 years of close observation, the patient showed normal morphology and growth of his mandible, but surprisingly developed a left mandibular third molar (tooth 17) in the site of the mandibular resection and reconstruction. This is the first case report in the literature to show the spontaneous development of teeth in a human reconstructed mandible, contributing evidence toward the functional matrix theory of mandibular growth and ectodermal origin of teeth.

Recurrent Malignancy in Osteoradionecrosis Specimen.

PURPOSE: Osteoradionecrosis (ORN) is a well-known complication of head and neck radiation therapy. Statistically, the mandible is the most commonly affected site. The incidental finding of malignancy in the resection specimen has been documented but is somewhat rare. The aim of this review is to investigate the presence of recurrent carcinoma and sarcoma or new primary malignancies in resection specimens previously diagnosed and treated as ORN. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study is a retrospective case series. We conducted a chart review of all cases managed at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine/Jackson Memorial Hospital. The inclusion criteria included a history of head and neck carcinoma treated with radiation of at least 6,000 cGy; clinical diagnosis of ORN; and surgical intervention with osseous resection for treatment of ORN. The study endpoint measured included microscopic evidence of malignancy in the resected ORN specimen. Additional data collected included gender, age, and type of primary pathology. RESULTS: A total of 564 patients met the inclusion criteria. Of these patients, 14 had microscopic evidence of cancer in the specimen (2.48%) and 5 had a proven second primary malignancy in the foregut (1 in the lung, 0.18%, and 4 in the oropharynx, 0.70%). In 1 of the 14 patients, a high-grade sarcoma was diagnosed and the patient died within 1 year of diagnosis. In the treatment of our ORN patient population, a total of 19 malignancies were found collectively (3.37%). Of the 564 patients, 352 were men and 212 were women. The median age was 46 years (range, 33 to 97 years). Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma represented 531 cases in our sample, followed by 28 cases of salivary gland carcinoma and only 5 cases of sarcoma. CONCLUSIONS: Although the finding of malignancy in ORN patients is relatively rare (3.37% in this study), oral and maxillofacial surgeons should be cognizant of its potential presence. The treatment of malignant disease is different than that of ORN, and a multidisciplinary treatment approach is recommended if a malignancy is diagnosed in an ORN patient.

FlexMetric bone marrow aspirator yields laboratory and clinically improved results from mesenchymal stem and progenitor cells without centrifugation.

Several devices used to harvest stem/progenitor cells from bone marrow are available to clinicians. This study compared three devices measuring stem cell yields and correlating those yields to bone regeneration. A flexible forward aspirating system Marrow Marxman (MM), a straight needle aspirating on withdrawal system Marrow Cellutions (MC), and a straight needle aspirating on withdrawal and centrifuging the aspirate (BMAC) were compared in a side-to-side patient comparison, as well as tissue engineered bone grafts. The FlexMetric system (MM) produced greater CFU-f values compared to the straight needle (MC) Δ = 1083/ml, p < 0.001 and 1225/ml, p < 0.001 than the BMAC system. This increased stem/progenitor cell yield also translated into a greater radiographic bone density at 6 months Δ = 88.3 Hu, p ≤ 0.001 versus MC and Δ = 116.7, p < 0.001 versus BMAC at 6 months and Δ = 72.2, p < 0.001 and Δ = 93.3, p < 0.001 at 9 months respectively. The increased stem/progenitor cell yield of the MM system clinically translated into greater bone regeneration as measured by bone volume p < 0.014 and p < 0.001 respectively, trabecular thickness p < 0.007 and p < 0.002 respectively, and trabecular separation p = 0.011 and p < 0.001. A flexible bone marrow aspirator produces higher yields of stem/progenitor cells. Higher yields of stem/progenitor cells translate into greater bone regeneration in tissue engineering. Flexmetric technology produces better bone regeneration due to a forward aspiration concept reducing dilution from peripheral blood and its ability to target lining cells along the inner cortex. Centrifugation systems are not required in tissue engineering procedures involving stem/progenitor cells due to nonviability or functional loss from g-forces.

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons' role in the first successful modified osteo-odonto-keratoprosthesis performed in the United States.

Corneal disease constitutes the second most common cause of blindness and often leads to corneal damage or scarring. Several corneal scarring is a complex and difficult condition for ophthalmologists to manage. In the most severe cases, the scarring is accompanied by excessive dryness and keratinization of the ocular surface. Certain etiologies, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, cicatricial pemphigoid, Lyell's syndrome, and chemical trauma to the surface of the eye, are responsible for the most severe cases. Traditional allogeneic corneal transplantation is not effective because of the significant scarring and dryness of the eye. To allow light and images to be focused on the retina, a keratoprosthesis is required to position a lens on the surface of the eye. One of the oldest and most effective types of keratoprosthesis, the osteo-odonto-keratoprosthesis (OOKP), was first described and documented in 1963 by Strampelli and subsequently modified by Falcinelli et al. The modified OOKP (MOOKP) is a unique prosthesis consisting of a lens fabricated from a polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) cylinder and cemented to an autogenous graft composed of tooth and bone, traditionally termed the osteo-odonto lamina. In this context, lamina refers to a thin rectangular plate of tooth and bone (Fig 1). The MOOKP involves 4 procedures performed in 3 surgical stages.

Reconstruction of defects caused by bisphosphonate-induced osteonecrosis of the jaws.

Reconstructive surgery of defects for any disease or injury including bisphosphonate-induced osteonecrosis of the jaws requires an understanding of the pathophysiology of the condition. Related to bisphosphonates, it is the apoptosis (programmed cell death) of the osteoclast that inhibits, and in some cases stops, bone renewal/remodeling altogether. Therefore, reconstruction begins with a debridement of resection considering this mechanism. For intravenous bisphosphonate-induced osteonecrosis defects of the mandible, most resections are immediately reconstructed with a rigid titanium plate provided that secondary infection is controlled, there is sufficient soft tissue present, and a resection margin containing variable bone marrow can be achieved. For some similar defects with significant secondary infection, a delayed rigid plate placement after the recipient site has healed and is infection free represents another option. In those defects in which there is a significant soft tissue loss, flap reconstruction may also be necessary. The pectoralis major myocutaneous flap is the most predictable and most commonly used flap, followed by the trapezius myocutaneous flap, and stemocleidomastoid flap. Bone graft reconstructions are rarely needed, and are often not indicated due to minimal benefit for the patient, anesthetic risks, or active cancer at metastatic sites. However, in selected cases, mostly for breast cancer or prostate cancer patients with continuity defects from intravenous bisphosphonate-induced osteonecrosis, standard cancellous marrow grafting with platelet-rich plasma growth factor supplementation has been successful. Maxillary resections are treated with prosthodontic obturators as they are in primary cancer surgery. Reconstruction of oral bisphosphonate-induced osteonecrosis defects usually takes the form of alveolar grafting and/or dental implant placements, and only rarely requires grafting of continuity defects. Standard grafting techniques and dental implant placements can be used if guided by the published serum C-terminal telopeptide (CTX) test. The guidelines are less than 100 pg/mL = high risk, 100 pg/mL to 150 mg/mL = moderate risk, and greater than 150 pg/mL = minimal risk.

Pivotal, randomized, parallel evaluation of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2/absorbable collagen sponge and autogenous bone graft for maxillary sinus floor augmentation.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of recombinant human morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) on an absorbable collagen sponge (ACS) compared with an autogenous bone graft when used for 2-stage maxillary sinus floor augmentation. The study assessed new bone formation, placement integration, and functional loading after 6 months and long term for 2 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 160 subjects were randomized, enrolled, and followed from January 1999 to February 2004 at 21 centers in the United States. The subjects with less than 6 mm of native bone height were treated with 1.50 mg/mL rhBMP-2/ACS or with an autograft. The height and density measurements were quantified by computed tomography scans. Core biopsies were obtained at dental implant placement and used for histological analysis. Safety was evaluated by oral examinations, radiographs, serum chemistries, and hematology. RESULTS: A significant amount of new bone was formed by 6 months postoperatively in each group. The mean change in bone height in the rhBMP-2/ACS subjects was 7.83 +/- 3.52 mm versus 9.46 +/- 4.11 mm for the bone graft subjects. At 6 months after dental restoration, the induced bone in the rhBMP-2/ACS group was significantly denser than that in the bone graft group. No marked differences were found in the histologic parameters evaluated between the 2 groups. The new bone was comparable to the native bone in density and structure in both groups. The success rate for the rhBMP-2/ACS group was 79% (64 of 81 subjects), and 201 of 251 implants placed in the bone graft group and 199 of 241 implants placed in the rhBMP-2/ACS group were integrated, retained, and functional at 6 months after loading. No adverse events were deemed related to the rhBMP-2/ACS treatment. The autograft group was noted to have a 17% rate of long-term parasthesia, pain, or gait disturbance related to the bone graft harvest. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our multicenter, randomized, prospective, clinical trial have shown the effectiveness and safety of rhBMP-2/ACS compared with bone graft for sinus floor augmentation. The study's primary endpoint was exceeded, and the implants placed in rhBMP-2/ACS and bone graft groups performed similarly after functional loading.

Uncovering the cause of "phossy jaw" Circa 1858 to 1906: oral and maxillofacial surgery closed case files-case closed.

The infamous "phossy jaw" that created an epidemic of exposed bone osteonecrosis exclusively in the jaws began around 1858 and continued until 1906, with only a few cases appearing since that time. This epidemic of osteonecrosis produced pain, swelling, debilitation, and a reported mortality of 20% and was linked to "yellow phosphorous," the key ingredient in "strike-anywhere" matches. In match-making factories, workers called "mixers," "dippers," and "boxers" were exposed to heated fumes containing this compound. Related to the duration of exposure, many of these workers developed painful exposed bone in the mouth, whereas their office-based counterparts did not. The exposed bone and clinical course were eerily similar to what modern day oral and maxillofacial surgeons see due to bisphosphonates used to treat metastatic cancer deposits in bone or osteoporosis. Although yellow phosphorus has a simple chemistry of P(4)O(10), when combined with H(2)O and CO(2) from respiration and with common amino acids, such as lysine, bisphosphonates almost identical to alendronate (Fosamax; Novartis Pharmaceuticals, East Hanover, NJ) and pamidronate (Aredia; Novartis Pharmaceuticals) result. Forensic evidence directly points to conversion of the yellow phosphorus in patients with "phossy jaw" to potent amino bisphosphonates by natural chemical reactions in the human body. Thus, the cause of phossy jaw in the late 1800s was actually bisphosphonate-induced osteonecrosis of the jaws, long before clever modern pharmaceutical chemists synthesized bisphosphonates. Today's bisphosphonate-induced osteonecrosis represents the second epidemic of "phossy jaw." Case closed.

Outcome analysis of mandibular condylar replacements in tumor and trauma reconstruction: a prospective analysis of 131 cases with long-term follow-up.

PURPOSE: Replacement of the mandibular condyle with alloplastic materials is sometimes required when the mandibular condyle is involved in pathology or trauma. Previous investigations into alloplastic mandibular condylar replacement have met with mixed results because they reported only a limited number of patients with short-term follow-up. This investigation sought to determine the long-term outcome of alloplastic replacement of the mandibular condyle in a large population of patients after disarticulation due to pathology or trauma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective, long-term investigation of 131 consecutive patients who had undergone alloplastic replacement of 132 mandibular condyle(s) for reconstruction after disarticulation for pathology or trauma. Metallic mandibular condylar replacement was carried out using standard principles of rigid fixation after disarticulation with placement of the metallic condylar head against the native condylar disc or a soft tissue interface of either autogenous or allogeneic grafts. Only patients with a minimum of 3-year follow-up were included in this study. Assessment analysis was conducted at 6-month intervals by direct questioning, direct clinical observation, measurements, and radiographic examination. RESULTS: A total of 131 consecutive patients underwent 132 mandibular condylar replacements with a metallic condylar head attached to a 2.3- or 2.4-mm reconstruction plate after disarticulation. Follow-up time ranged from 3.4 to 18.6 years with an average of 7.8 years. A total of 13 (9.8%) patients developed minor complications including pain (2/132, 1.5%), loose plate (2/132, 1.5%), limited jaw opening (4/132, 3.0%), and plate exposures all of which were in irradiated patients (6/132, 4.5%). One patient (0.8%) who also was irradiated developed an erosion into the external auditory meatus with pain. None developed an erosion into the middle cranial fossa. CONCLUSIONS: Alloplastic replacement of the mandibular condyle with a metallic condyle on a rigid reconstruction plate functioning against a natural disc or a soft tissue graft in the temporal fossa after disarticulation for pathology or trauma provides long-term stability with minimal complications (a total complication incidence of 10.6%).

Oral bisphosphonate-induced osteonecrosis: risk factors, prediction of risk using serum CTX testing, prevention, and treatment.

PURPOSE: To assess the risk and time course of oral bisphosphonate-induced osteonecrosis of the jaws. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Detailed data from 30 consecutive cases were compared with 116 cases due to intravenous aminobisphosphonates. RESULTS: Results in part noted a higher incidence related to alendronate (Fosamax; Merck, Whitehouse Station, NJ), a 94.7% predilection for the posterior mandible, and a 50% occurrence spontaneously, with the remaining 50% resulting from an oral surgical procedure, mostly tooth removals. Just over 53% of patients were taking their oral bisphosphonate for osteopenia, 33.3% for documented osteoporosis, and 13.4% for steroid-induced osteoporosis related to 4 or more years of prednisone therapy for an autoimmune condition. There was a direct exponential relationship between the size of the exposed bone and the duration of oral bisphosphonate use. There was also a direct correlation between reports of pain and clinical evidence of infection. The morning fasting serum C-terminal telopeptide (CTX) test results were observed to correlate to the duration of oral bisphosphonate use and could indicate a recovery of bone remodeling with increased values if the oral bisphosphonate was discontinued. A stratification of relative risk was seen as CTX values less than 100 pg/mL representing high risk, CTX values between 100 pg/mL and 150 pg/mL representing moderate risk, and CTX values above 150 pg/mL representing minimal risk. The CTX values were noted to increase between 25.9 pg/mL to 26.4 pg/mL for each month of a drug holiday indicating a recovery of bone remodeling and a guideline as to when oral surgical procedures can be accomplished with the least risk. In addition, drug holidays associated with CTX values rising above the 150 pg/mL threshold were observed to correlate to either spontaneous bone healing or a complete healing response after an office-based debridement procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Oral bisphosphonate-induced osteonecrosis is a rare but real entity that is less frequent, less severe, more predictable, and more responsive to treatment than intravenous bisphosphonate-induced osteonecrosis. The morning fasting serum C-terminal telopeptide bone suppression marker is a useful tool for the clinician to assess risks and guide treatment decisions.

Bone and bone graft healing.

Bone is unique in connective tissue healing because it heals entirely by cellular regeneration and the production of a mineral matrix rather than just collagen deposition known as scar. This article discusses the cellular, tissue, and organ levels in each of the following sections--skeletal embryology, normal bone, examples of abnormal bone, and bone graft healing--as they relate to the jaws and the craniofacial skeleton.

Bisphosphonates and bisphosphonate induced osteonecrosis.

Bisphosphonate-induced osteonecrosis of the jaws is the correct term for this real drug complication that most dental practitioners face. All nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates pose a risk, which is related to the route of administration, the potency of the bisphosphonate, and the duration of use. Although intravenous bisphosphonate-induced osteonecrosis of the jaws is mostly permanent, most cases can be prevented or managed if they develop, with only a few cases requiring resection for resolution. Oral bisphosphonate-induced osteonecrosis of the jaws also can be prevented with knowledge of the risk level related to the duration of use and the C-terminal telopeptide blood test results. Most cases can be resolved with a drug holiday either spontaneously or via straightforward débridement.

A technique for the treatment of oral-antral fistulas resulting from medication-related osteonecrosis of the maxilla: the combined buccal fat pad flap and radical sinusotomy.

OBJECTIVE: Bisphosphonates and monoclonal antibodies directed at osteoclastic function are frequently used to treat postmenopausal and corticosteroid-induced osteoporosis. They are also used in the treatment of certain metastatic malignancies. However, osteonecrosis of the jaw has been reported after intravenous, subcutaneous, or oral use of these agents. More than 12 million Americans and another 20 million worldwide are thought to be taking a bisphosphonate. Exposed bone with oral-antral fistulas has been known to occur increasingly as a specific presentation of what is now termed medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (MRONJ) with a specific International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision (ICD-10) code. Oral-antral communications caused by bisphosphonate concomitant with secondary sinusitis represent a unique treatment challenge for the oral and maxillofacial surgeon. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate a simple but effective technique to treat oral-antral communications caused by MRONJ. STUDY DESIGN: With the review and approval of the University of Miami Internal Review Board, we identified 23 patients who had undergone this surgical procedure. RESULTS: We report a 100% resolution of osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) and sinusitis with repneumatization. CONCLUSIONS: The buccal fat pad and radical sinustomy can be used as an effective and predictable technique for the resolution of oral-antral fistulas caused by MRONJ.