Harvesting of intraoral autogenous block grafts from the chin and ramus region: preliminary results with a variable square pulse Er:YAG laser

Background and Objectives: It was the aim of this pilot study to evaluate the feasibility, benefits and limitations of a variable square pulse (VSP) Er:YAG laser for harvesting intraoral bone grafts from either the chin or ramus region. Materials and Methods: In 12 patients (5 female, 7 male) a VSP Er:YAG laser was used to harvest bone grafts either from the ramus (3) or the symphyseal area (9). For the osteotomies, the Er:YAG laser was applied with a pulse energy of 1,000 mJ, a pulse duration of 300 microseconds, and a frequency of 12 Hz (energy density 157 J/cm2). The spot size was 0.9 mm and the handpiece was kept at a distance of about 10 mm from the bone surface. Results: There was no visible carbonization or osseous debris on the surface of the osteotomy gap. Damage of adjacent soft tissue structures by mechanical or thermal trauma was minimal. Cutting efficiency was excellent and the overall time required for the procedure was not increased. However, due to a free manual positioning of the laser beam in the non-contact mode, it was difficult to get a well defined osteotomy line without irregularities on the surface. Slight deviations of the original angulation of the laser beam led to considerable bone loss which restricted osteotomy of ramus grafts to three cases. Depth control was limited to visual inspection. Conclusion: The bone ablation technique using a (VSP) Er:YAG laser yielded superior clinical results without impairment of wound healing and in comparison to other laser systems, no significant time loss occurred. Yet, the missing depth control and the necessity of carefully handling the laser beam position and its angulation limit the use of a (VSP) Er:YAG laser to regions where a safe and fixed guidance of the laser beam is feasible

The importance of the primary reconstruction of the traumatized anterior maxillary sinus wall

This study evaluates the importance of specific posttraumatic reconstruction of the fractured anterior sinus wall. Several methods of different complexity of reconstruction are being compared by means of radiologic, rhinoscopic, and clinical data. Four groups of a total of 207 patients (age, 18-73 years; follow-up average, 4.2 years) with midfacial fractures, divided by operation technique and year, were evaluated. Control groups 1 to 3 received standard procedures without special regard on the reconstruction of the anterior sinus wall; the study group received specific reconstruction. The study group 4 showed a lower complication rate in nearly all measured parameters in comparison to groups 1 and 2. Study group 4 had the smallest incidences of posttraumatic sequelae in radiologic examinations; the clinical outcome was even to group 3. During open reduction and fixation procedures of midfacial fractures, attention should be given to the reconstruction of the anterior sinus wall to avoid postoperative discomfort

Use of Rectangular Grid Miniplates for Fracture Fixation at the Mandibular Angle

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcome of patients with mandibular angle fractures treated by intraoral access and a rectangular grid miniplate with 4 holes and stabilized with monocortical screws.Patients and Methods: This study included 45 patients with mandibular angle fractures from the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery São Paulo State University, Araraquara, Brazil, and from the Clinic of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the University of Frankfurt, Germany. The 45 fractures of the mandibular angle were treated with a rectangular grid miniplate of a 2.0-mm system by an intraoral approach with monocortical screws. Clinical evaluations were postoperatively performed at 15 and 30 days and 3 and 6 months, and the complications encountered were recorded and treated.Results: The infection rate was 4.44% (2 patients), and in 1 patient it was necessary to replace hardware. This patient also had a fracture of the left mandibular body; 3 patients (6.66%) had minor occlusal changes that have been resolved with small occlusal adjustments. Before surgery, 15 patients (33.33%) presented with hypoesthesia of the inferior alveolar nerve; 4 (8.88%) had this change until the last clinical control, at 6 months.Conclusions: The rectangular grid miniplate used in this study was stable for the treatment of simple mandibular angle fractures through intraoral access, with low complication rates, easy handling, and easy adjustment, with a low cost. Concomitant mandibular fracture may increase the rate of complications. This plate should be indicated in fractures with sufficient interfragmentaty contact. (C) 2011 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons J Oral Maxillofac Surg 69:1436-1441, 201

Comparison of two surgical techniques (HOO vs. BSSO) for mandibular osteotomies in orthognathic surgery - a 10-year retrospective study

Purpose: To retrospectively compare the high-angled sagittal split osteotomy (HOO) and the bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO) for the correction of skeletal dysgnathias regarding intra- and postoperative complications. Methods: The electronic medical records of all patients treated with an orthognathic surgery at the Department for Oral, Maxillofacial and Facial Plastic Surgery, University Hospital Frankfurt, Germany, between the years 2009 and 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Results: Two hundred ninety-one patients were included. The overall complication rates were 19.78% (BSSO) compared to 12.5% (HOO) (p = 0.14). Significant differences were found regarding the operation time (HOO  BSSO, p = 0.04), and early recurrence requiring revision surgery (HOO < BSSO, p = 0.002). The use of a ramus plate significantly reduced the risk of plate failure (2.8% < 13.6%, p = 0.05). More bad splits (p = 0.08) and early sensory disorders (p = 0.07) occurred in the BSSO group. Conclusion: The HOO presents a possible alternative to the BSSO since newly developed osteosynthesis material significantly reduces the risk of material failure. The BSSO is accompanied by higher risks of developing complications like a bad split and sensory disorders but, however, remains the standard for large anterior–posterior transpositions of the mandible

Revision of 116 orthognathic surgery patients operated on with the high-oblique sagittal osteotomy (HOSO): a retrospective case series (PROCESS-compliant article)

Background: The high-oblique sagittal osteotomy (HOSO) is an alternative to a bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO). Due to its novelty, there are no long-term studies which have focused on describing the incidence and type of complications encountered in the post-operative follow-up. The aim of this retrospective study is to analyze patients operated on with this surgical technique and the post-operative complications encountered. Patient and methods: The electronic medical records of all patients treated with orthognathic surgery at the Department of Oral, Maxillofacial and Facial Plastic Surgery, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany, between the years 2009 and 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Results: A total of 116 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The cases operated on with the standard osteosynthesis (X, Y, and straight) showed a complication rate of 36.37% (n = 4/11). The cases operated on with the HOSO-dedicated plates (HOSO-DP) showed, in total, a complication rate of 6.67% (n = 7/105). The most common post-operative complication resulting from both fixation methods was a reduction in mouth opening and TMJ pain for 4.3%. During the first years of performing the surgery (2009–211), a variety of standard plates had material failure causing non-union or pseudarthrosis. No cases of material failure were observed in the cases operated on with the HOSO-DP. The statistical results showed a highly significant dependence of a reduction in OP-time over the years, when the HOSO was performed without additional procedures (R2 > 0.83, P < 0.0015). Conclusion: The rate of complications in the HOSO were shown to be comparable to the rate of complications from the BSSO reported in the literature. Moreover, the use of the ramus dedicated plate appears to provide enough stability to the bone segments, making the surgery safer. Clinical relevance: The HOSO needs to be considered by surgeons as an alternative to BSSO. Once the use of the HOSO-DP was established, the rate of complications and the operation time reduced considerably

Intraoral Approach for Treatment of Displaced Condylar Fractures: Case Report

Dislocated subcondylar fractures often require open reduction and internal fixation. This treatment modality results in better anatomy, early function, and facilitated physical therapy. Ideal stable fixation is obtained by use of two miniplates to control the tension zone in the sigmoid notch area and stabilize the posterior border region or, if there is not enough space, one stronger plate. That is most frequently achieved through extraoral approaches. Recently new instruments have facilitated the use of an intraoral approach, which is used usually with the aid of an endoscope. However, it is possible to perform the procedure without the endoscope if proper instruments and clinical mirrors for checking the posterior border reduction and fixation are used. A case of reduction and fixation of a medially dislocated condylar fracture is presented and discussed