Evaluation of Vermillion Symmetry and Scar Quality in Unilateral Cleft Lip Repair Using Modified Millard's Technique Versus Fisher's Technique.

BACKGROUND: Since the primary goal of cleft lip repair is to achieve a symmetrical, aesthetic lip, several surgical techniques have been utilized. Accordingly, in this study, a unilateral cleft lip was surgically repaired using two techniques: modified Millard's and Fisher's techniques. PURPOSE: This study was designed to compare the vermillion symmetry and scar quality in the surgical management of patients with unilateral incomplete cleft lip using the modified Millard's and Fisher's techniques. STUDY DESIGN, SETTING, AND SAMPLE: We conducted a prospective randomized controlled clinical study. The study involved 20 patients selected from the Department of Plastic Pediatric Surgery at the Specialized Pediatric Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University. The patients included in the study were aged between 2 and 6 months old, had a primary nonsyndromic unilateral incomplete cleft lip, and had no other associated anomalies. PREDICTOR VARIABLE: The predictor variable was operative management of the cleft lip, and subjects were randomly assigned to either the modified Millard or Fisher techniques. MAIN OUTCOME VARIABLES: The primary outcome, vermillion symmetry, was evaluated by computerized photogrammetric lip analysis with Image J software. Additionally, scar quality, considered a secondary outcome, was assessed with the Vancouver Scar Scale and the Image J software. Every measurement was meticulously recorded in millimeters. COVARIATES: Age, sex, and cleft side were considered. ANALYSES: Descriptive and analytic statistics were computed. Statistical significance was set at P < .05. RESULTS: The study comprised 20 children (12 males and 8 females), with a mean age of 140.5 ± 23.7 days in the Fisher's group and 137.4 ± 25.6 days in the modified Millard's group (P = .8). No statistically significant differences (P = .6) were found in vermillion height and width between both groups at 1 week, 3 months, and 6 months. Similarly, there were no statistically significant differences (P = .4) between both groups in terms of scar length and width at the 3- and 6-month follow-up periods. CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE: This study found no statistically significant differences in vermillion symmetry and scar quality between the two cleft lip repair techniques. Notably, one patient in the modified Millard group exhibited a notch on the vermillion border, which was not statistically significant.

Aesthetic reconstruction of onco-surgical maxillary defects using free scapular flap with and without CAD/CAM customized osteotomy guide.

BACKGROUND: Reconstruction of the maxillary defects following tumor ablation remains to be a challenge for surgeons. Virtual surgical planning (VSP), intraoperative cutting guides and stereolithographic models provides the head and neck reconstructive surgeon with powerful tools for complex reconstruction planning. Despite its use in fibular osteocutaneous reconstruction, application to the scapular free flap has not been as widely reported. The aim of this study was to compare aesthetic results and operation time of free scapular flap, with and without computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) customized osteotomy guide, for reconstruction of maxillary defects. METHODS: In this prospective randomized controlled clinical trial study, we randomly assigned 22 patients with maxillary defects who were scheduled to undergo maxillary reconstruction with either free scapular flap with CAD/CAM customized osteotomy guide; study group (n = 11) or free scapular flap without CAD/CAM customized osteotomy guide; control group (n = 11). All patients were followed up for 3 months. The aesthetic outcome, operation and ischemic times were evaluated and compared. RESULTS: Aesthetic outcomes were evaluated objectively by means of differential surface area (sagittal and axial) measurement, which showed improved aesthetic outcome (contour symmetry) in the study group with a mean of (241.39 ± 113.74 mm2), compared to patients in control group with a mean of (358.70 ± 143.99 mm2). There were significant differences between the two groups (P < 0.05). Aesthetic outcomes were also evaluated subjectively by means of visual analogue scale (VAS) and patient's satisfaction score (PSS). The postoperative aesthetic appearance was better in the study group with more patients satisfied than that in control group and there were statistically significant differences (P = 0.039). The mean total operative time was 678.81 min and 777.18 min in the study group and control group respectively (P < 0.05) and the mean ischemia time was 133.18 min and 195.72 min for study group and control group respectively (P < 0.05). The ischemia time and total operative time were shorter in the study group compared to those in the control group and there were no flap losses in both groups. CONCLUSION: The use of CAD/CAM prefabricated cutting guides facilitates scapular flap molding and placement, minimizes ischemic time and operating time as well as improves aesthetic outcomes. Trial registration This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov. REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03757286. Registration date: 28/11/2018.

What surgical treatment has the lowest recurrence rate following the management of keratocystic odontogenic tumor?: A large systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Among the different surgical treatments for keratocystic odontogenic tumors (KOTs), there is no single method associated with a zero recurrence rate (RR). Thus, this study aimed to seek the best surgical treatment with the least RR using a weighted event rated meta-analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To address our study purpose, a systematic review and meta-analysis based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline was performed. An extensive search of major databases through PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane CENTRAL was conducted to identify all relevant articles published without language restrictions from inception to August 2016. Relevant articles were selected based on the following inclusion criteria: prospective, retrospective, and case series studies that assessed various treatments in non-syndromic KOTs in which RRs were included. The predictor variable was treatment groups, namely: enucleation alone, enucleation with peripheral ostectomy, enucleation with Carnoy's solution application, enucleation with cryotherapy, marsupialization alone, decompression followed by residual cystectomy, and resection. The outcome variable was RR. A weighted RR using a random effect model (because of variation in follow-up time) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was performed. Data analysis was performed using a comprehensive meta-analysis software. RESULTS: A total of 2287 KOTs in 35 studies were included in this analysis. The weighted RR for various treatment techniques was as follows: enucleation alone (23.1%), enucleation with curettage (17.4%), enucleation and Carnoy's solution (11.5%), enucleation plus liquid nitrogen cryotherapy (14.5%), marsupialization alone (32.3%), decompression followed by residual cystectomy (14.6%), and resection (8.4%). The pooled weighted overall RR of KOTs for all different treatments was 16.6%. CONCLUSION: Radical resection remains the certain option for obtaining the lowest recurrence with KOTs. However, low recurrence accompanies enucleation with application of Carnoy's solution or cryotherapy as the first-line treatment for primary KOTs. Marsupialization (where indicated) must be followed by secondary cystectomy to minimize recurrence. We believe that to achieve the least possible morbidity, resections should be reserved for multiple recurrent lesions and possibly syndromic cases.