Guide bone regeneration using autogenous teeth: case reports

The authors installed implants combined with guided bony regeneration (GBR) using autogenous tooth bone graft material in the patients. In one patient, GBR and simultaneous implant placement were performed. In two patients, GBR was performed and the implants were placed after 6 months. All patients achieved favorable clinical outcomes. Excellent osteoconductive bony healing was observed in the 6 month histology examination after the bone graft.

Clinical Outcomes of Halo-Vest Immobilization and Surgical Fusion of Odontoid Fractures

OBJECTIVE: In the present study, authors retrospectively reviewed the clinical outcomes of halo-vest immobilization (HVI) versus surgical fixation in patients with odontoid fracture after either non-surgical treatment (HVI) or with surgical fixation. METHODS: From April 1997 to December 2008, we treated a total of 60 patients with upper cervical spine injuries. This study included 31 (51.7%) patients (22 men, 9 women; mean age, 39.3 years) with types II and III odontoid process fractures. The average follow-up was 25.1 months. We reviewed digital radiographs and analyzed images according to type of injury and treatment outcomes, following conservative treatment with HVI and surgical management with screw fixation. RESULTS: There were a total of 31 cases of types II and III odontoid process fractures (21 odontoid type II fractures, 10 type III fractures). Fifteen patients underwent HVI (10 type II fractures, 5 type III fractures). Nine (60%) out of 15 patients who underwent HVI experienced successful healing of odontoid fractures. The mean period for bone healing was 20.2 weeks. Sixteen patients underwent surgery including anterior screw fixation (6 cases), posterior C1-2 screw fixation (8), and transarticular screw fixation (2) for healing the odontoid fractures (11 type II fractures, 5 type III fractures). Fifteen (93.8%) out of 16 patients who underwent surgery achieved healing of cervical fractures. The average bone healing time was 17.6 weeks. CONCLUSION: The overall healing rate was 60% after HVI and 93.8% with surgical management. Patients treated with surgery showed a higher fusion rate and shorter bony healing time than patients who received HVI. However, prospective studies are needed in the future to define better optimal treatment and cost-effective perspective for the treatment of odontoid fractures.

Optimal Use of the Halo-Vest Orthosis for Upper Cervical Spine Injuries

PURPOSE: Upper cervical fractures can heal with conservative treatments such as halo-vest immobilization (HVI) and Minerva jackets without surgery. The most rigid of these, HVI, remains the most frequently used treatment in many centers despite its relatively high frequency of orthosis-related complications. We conducted this study to investigate the clinical outcome, effectiveness, patient satisfaction, and associated complications of HVI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From April 1997 to December 2008, we treated 23 patients for upper cervical spinal injuries with HVI. For analysis, we divided high cervical fractures into four groups, including C1 fracture, C2 dens fracture, C2 hangman's fracture, and C1-2 associated fracture. We evaluated the clinical outcome, complications, and patient satisfaction through chart reviews and a telephone questionnaire. RESULTS: The healing rate for upper cervical fracture using HVI was 60.9%. In most cases, bony healing occurred within 16 weeks. Older patients required longer fusion time. We observed a 39.1% failure rate, and 60.9% of patients experienced complications. The most common complications were frequent pin loosening (34.8%; 8/23) and pin site infection (17.4%; 4/23). The HVI treatment failed in 66.7% of patients with pin site problems. The patient approval rate was 31.6%. CONCLUSION: The HVI produced frequent complications and low patient satisfaction. Bony fusion succeeded in 60.9% of patients. Pin site complications showed a tendency to influence the outcome of HVI, and would be promptly addressed to prevent treatment failure if they develop. The decision to use HVI requires an explanation to the patient of potential complications and constant vigilance to prevent such complications and unsatisfactory outcomes.

An Experimental Study in Promotion of Bone Healing by Autologous Red bone Marrow Grafting / 中华创伤杂志

To explore the significance of the autologous red bone marrow grafting alone in the process of bony healing, 30 New Zealand white rabbits were used and 10mm—long diaphysial defects were made on the bilateral same region of ulnae. On the left side of each animal 1. 5ml of bone marrow, aspirated from the autotogous greater trochanter, were injected into the defect as experiment group and on the right side 1.5ml of saline were injected into the defect as a control group. The speciments were observed by means of radioiso—tope, radiography, hostology and callus weight determination among 1～16 weeks in batches. These results demonstrated that the autologous red bone marrow grafting have definite effect on promoting bone healing.