Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Reconstruction with Polyetheretherketone Patient-Specific Implants: Aesthetic and Functional Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Reconstructing cranio-maxillo-facial defects presents significant challenges. This study evaluates the results of polyetheretherketone patient-specific implants (PEEK PSIs) in primary and secondary cranio-maxillo-facial reconstructions, with a focus on aesthetic and functional outcomes and long-term complications. METHODS: From October 2009 to February 2023, 45 patients underwent cranio-maxillo-facial reconstructions with PSIs. Patients aged 18 years or older, with a minimum follow-up period of 12 months, were included. The morpho-functional outcome was evaluated through a modified Katsuragy Scale, the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain, and four FACE-Q|Aesthetics© scales. RESULTS: In total, 44 PSIs were placed in 37 patients (51.3% males; mean age 45.1 years). The main cause of the defect was the resection of a tumor (55.4%). Mean follow-up was 78.6 months. Clinical evaluations showed an improvement in the postoperative period both in patient's and surgeon's scores (p: 0.01 and p: 0.002, respectively). Subgroup analysis confirmed a significant improvement in patients undergoing cranioplasty (p = 0.02) and mandible reconstruction (p = 0.03). No cases of prosthesis dislocation, rupture, or long-term infection were recorded. CONCLUSIONS: PEEK PSIs offer significant advantages in craniofacial reconstructions. Despite challenges in predicting soft tissue adaptation, overall patient satisfaction was high with no long-term complications. Future improvements should focus on predicting and enhancing soft tissue adaptations.

Do facial soft tissue thicknesses change after surgeries correcting dental malocclusions? An intra- and inter-patient statistical analysis on soft-tissue thicknesses in BSSO + LFI surgeries.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to analyse changes in facial soft tissue thickness (FSTT) after corrective surgeries for dental malocclusion. The correlation between body mass index (BMI) and sex of patients and their FSTT before undergoing surgery was analysed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cone beam computed tomography of seventeen patients that underwent Le Fort I osteotomy in combination with bilateral sagittal split osteotomy were collected. Hard and soft tissue landmarks were selected basing on the interventions. FSTT were computed, and measurements from pre- to post-operative were compared. The relationship between FSTT, sex, and BMI was investigated. RESULTS: Considering the comparison between pre- and post-operative measurements, any significant difference emerged (p > .05). The Pearson's correlation coefficient computed between BMI and the FSTT (pre-operative) showed a correlation in normal-weight patients; the region-specific analysis highlighted a stronger correlation for specific landmarks. Higher median values emerged for women than for men; the subset-based analysis showed that women presented higher values in the malar region, while men presented higher values in the nasal region. CONCLUSIONS: The considered surgeries did not affect the FSTT of the patients; differences related to BMI and sex were found. A collection of FSTT mean values was provided for twenty landmarks of pre- and post-operative of female and male subjects. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This exploratory analysis gave insights on the behaviour of STT after maxillofacial surgeries that can be applied in the development of predictive methodologies for soft tissue displacements and to study modifications in the facial aspect of the patients.

Three-Dimensional Evaluation of Soft Tissue Malar Modifications after Zygomatic Valgization Osteotomy via Geometrical Descriptors.

Patients with severe facial deformities present serious dysfunctionalities along with an unsatisfactory aesthetic facial appearance. Several methods have been proposed to specifically plan the interventions on the patient's needs, but none of these seem to achieve a sufficient level of accuracy in predicting the resulting facial appearance. In this context, a deep knowledge of what occurs in the face after bony movements in specific surgeries would give the possibility to develop more reliable systems. This study aims to propose a novel 3D approach for the evaluation of soft tissue zygomatic modifications after zygomatic osteotomy; geometrical descriptors usually involved in face analysis tasks, i.e., face recognition and facial expression recognition, are here applied to soft tissue malar region to detect changes in surface shape. As ground truth for zygomatic changes, a zygomatic openness angular measure is adopted. The results show a high sensibility of geometrical descriptors in detecting shape modification of the facial surface, outperforming the results obtained from the angular evaluation.

Implant Dental Rehabilitation of Fibula-Free Flap Reconstructed Jaws.

BACKGROUND: The possibility of placing dental fixtures in the reconstructed regions allows us to overcome the problems related to dental rehabilitation with removable prosthesis. The aim of this study was to assess the clinic-radiological outcome in a series of patients who underwent fibula flap jaws reconstruction and rehabilitation with implant-supported prosthesis with a minimum follow-up of 24 months. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 10 patients who underwent reconstruction with fibula free flap between 2010 and 2018. Albrektsson criteria were used to define the implant survival. The follow-up evaluation was performed according to a standardized protocol including clinical examination, radiological evaluation (panoramic radiograph) and patient interview. RESULTS: A total of 45 implants were positioned.The time between mandibular reconstruction and implant placement ranged from 13 months to 39 months.The prosthesis used was fixed in 6 cases and supported overdenture in 4 cases.No implant failure was observed.Regarding implant survival no infections were observed in these series. Nine patients out of 10 had no pain and signs of mobility. Seven patients out of 10 had absence of peri-implant radiolucency at the panoramic radiograph.One patient presented with an overgrowth of granulomatous soft tissue around the implant abutments that caused pain. CONCLUSIONS: Implant placed in vascularized bone grafts are a safe and reliable opportunity to rehabilitate patients following mandibular resection. The results of this series demonstrate a high survival rate for implants placed in reconstructed mandibles with an improvement of the quality of life.

Accuracy of Fibula Reconstruction Using Patient-Specific Cad/Cam Plates: A Multicenter Study on 47 Patients.

OBJECTIVES: This prospective study evaluated the accuracy of mandibular reconstruction using free fibular flaps (by comparing virtual plans to the three-dimensional postoperative results), and the extent of bone-to-bone contact after computer-assisted surgery. METHODS: We included 65 patients who underwent partial-continuity mandibular resections from February 2013 to January 2017, and evaluated virtual planning, surgical techniques, and accuracy. RESULTS: Forty-seven patients were analysed. A total of 112 fibular segments received 54 implants. We measured 227 distances between landmarks to assess the accuracy of reconstruction. Postoperative reconstruction accuracy ranged from 0.5 to 3 mm. CONCLUSION: Virtual surgical planning very accurately translated simulation into reality, particularly in patients requiring large, complex mandibular reconstructions using multiple fibular segments. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 131:E2169-E2175, 2021.

Malar augmentation with zygomatic osteotomy in orthognatic surgery: Bone and soft tissue changes threedimensional evaluation.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this prospective study is to objectively assess 3D soft tissue and bone changes of the malar region by using the malar valgization osteotomy in concomitant association with orthognatic surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2015 to January 2018, 10 patients who underwent single stage bilateral malar valgization osteotomy in conjunction with maxillo-mandibular orthognatic procedures for aesthetic and functional correction were evaluated. Clinical and surgical reports were collected and patient satisfaction was evaluated with a VAS score. For each patient, maxillofacial CT-scans were collected 1 month preoperatively (T0) and 6 months after the operation (T1). DICOM data were imported and elaborated in the software MatLab, which creates a 3D soft tissue model of the face. 3D Bone changes were assessed importing DICOM data into iPlan (BrainLAB 3.0) software and the superimposition process was achieved using autofusion. Descriptive statistical analyses were obtained for soft tissue and bone changes. RESULTS: Considering bone assessment the comparison by superimposition between T0 and T1 showed an increase of the distance between bilateral malar prominence (Pr - Pl) and a slight forward movement (87,65 ± 1,55 to 97,60 ± 5,91); p-value 0.007. All of the patients had improvement of α angle, ranging from 36,30 ± 1,70 to 38,45 ± 0,55, p-value 0,04 (αr) and 36,75 ± 1,58 to 38,45 ± 0,35; p-value 0,04 (αl). The distance S increased from 78,05 ± 2,48 to 84,2 ± 1,20; p-value 0,04 (Sr) and 78,65 ± 2,16 to 82,60 ± 0,90 (Sl); p-value 0,03. Considering the soft tissue, the comparison by superimposition between T0 and T1 showed an antero-lateral movement (p-value 0.008 NVL; p-value 0.001 NVR) of the malar bone projection together with an increase in width measurements (p-value 0,05 VL; p-value 0,01 VR). Angular measurement confirmed the pattern of the bony changes (p-value 0.034 αL; p-value 0,05 αR). CONCLUSION: The malar valgization osteotomy in conjunction with orthognatic surgery is effective in improving zygomatic projection contributing to a balanced facial correction in midface hypoplasia.3D geometrical based volume and surface analysis demonstrate an increase in transversal and forward direction. The osteotomy can be safely performed in conjunction with orthognatic procedures.

Odontogenic Cutaneous Fistula: A Case in Aged Patient With Delayed Diagnosis.

ABSTRACT: Odontogenic cutaneous fistula is a pathologic communication between the cutaneous surface of the face and the oral cavity and it is a rare entity frequently misdiagnosed.Therefore, the lesion may persist for a long period before the correct diagnosis is made and odontogenic source is treated appropriately. Delay in diagnosis adds to the chronicity of the lesion and if not diagnosed in times fistula can even leave deforming scars.Considering the scarceness and diagnostic predicament of odontogenic cutaneous fistulas, the authors report a significant case of 80 years old female.

Navigation-Assisted Resection and Fibula Free-Flap Reconstruction of an Extensive Maxillary Tumor.

OBJECTIVE: Tumor resection and reconstruction as a one-step procedure requires accurate definition of the intended safety margins, precise location of osteotomy lines and reliable individual rehabilitation.In recent years, the role of image-guided surgery in the maxillofacial region has increased significantly. As this technology allows the surgeon to track the actual position of each instrument during the operation in real-time, it makes it possible to perform extensive bone structure resections and reconstructions in anatomically distorted or complex areas, such as the head and neck region, without unnecessarily damaging vital structures.The authors described a case of a 26-year-old woman presented to our Clinic with an extensive maxillary squamous cell carcinoma involving the infratemporal fossa. The patient underwent single-step navigation-guided en bloc resection of the tumor and defect reconstruction.The aim of this study is describe and discuss the unusual surgical planning and the challenging operative technique adding a new case to the currently limited scientific literature on the computer-assisted head and neck oncologic surgery.

The Shape of Things to Come: In-Hospital Three-Dimensional Printing for Mandibular Reconstruction Using Fibula Free Flap.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: The aim of this study was to explore whether the production of in-hospital, low-cost surgical cutting guides would be possible and to assess different cutting guide shapes to facilitate the surgery and the application with instruments. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study. METHODS: Using free computer-aided design software, surgical cutting guides for the mandible and fibula were designed and used to perform virtual segmental osteotomies and fibula transplants in seven patients. RESULTS: Fourteen virtual osteotomies were performed using the free software and the proposed workflow. Thirteen guides were then printed to transfer the virtual planning information to the operating room. CONCLUSIONS: Virtual planning and the three-dimensional (3D) printing of guides for mandibular reconstruction is reliable with the aid of an in-hospital 3D laboratory. We also demonstrated that different guides with different shapes could be produced with benefits during surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 2020.

Surgical Management of the Peripheral Osteoma of the Zygomatic Arch: A Case Report and Literature Review.

An osteoma is a benign, slow-growing, osteogenic neoplasm with a low recurrence rate that is typically characterized by the proliferation of a compact or cancellous bone. It can be peripheral, central, or extraskeletal. Usually asymptomatic, peripheral osteomas in the maxillofacial region commonly arise in the paranasal sinuses and mandible and rarely occur in the zygomatic arch, with only six previously documented cases in the literature. Here, we present the management of a solitary peripheral osteoma of the right zygomatic arch in a 72-year-old woman and a review of the literature.