Failure of sterilization in a dental outpatient facility: Investigation, risk assessment, and management.

In 2017, an incident of failed sterilization of dental instruments occurred at a large dental outpatient facility in Singapore. We aim to describe findings of the investigation of the sterilization breach incident, factors related to risk of viral transmission to the potentially affected patients, and the contact tracing process, patient management, and blood test results at a 6-month follow-up. A full assessment of the incident was immediately carried out. The factors related to risk of viral transmission due to affected instruments were analyzed using 3 keys points: breached step(s) and scale of the incident, prevalence of underlying bloodborne diseases and immunity in the Singapore population, health status of potential source patients, and type of dental procedure performed, and health status of affected patients and type of dental procedure received. Up to 72 affected instrument sets were used in 714 potentially affected patients who underwent noninvasive dental procedures. The investigation revealed that there was a lapse in the final step of steam sterilization, resulting in the use of incompletely sterilized items. The assessment determined that there was an extremely low risk of bloodborne virus transmission of diseases to the patients. At the 6-month follow-up, there were no infected/colonized cases found related to the incident. Lapses in the sterilization process for medical and dental instruments can happen, but a risk assessment approach is useful to manage similar incidents. Quick response and proper documentation of the sterilization process can prevent similar incidents.

Third-generation modular mandible endoprosthesis in Macaca fascicularis.

The aim of this study was to develop a third-generation modular mandible endoprosthesis that would experience less stress concentration at its stems compared to earlier generations, thereby minimizing micromotion and achieving long-term stability. In this three-piece modular design, different degrees of movement were incorporated between the endoprosthesis module interfaces. It was hypothesized that this unique feature would minimize stress concentration at the stems and hence promote osseointegration during the early phase of implantation. The endoprosthesis system was made of commercially pure grade 4 titanium, machined and surface-treated, then sterilized and implanted in segmental mandible defects of nine Macaca fascicularis. Clinical, radiological, histological, and histomorphometric evaluations were performed 4 months post-implantation. The endoprosthesis systems with a degree of movement incorporated, exhibited superior performance compared to the rigid system: 30.9-34.8 times higher percentage bone-implant contact (P< 0.0001) and 3.4-4.1 times higher percentage bone area (P<0.0001), with osseointegration noted at the posterior stems. However, fibrous tissue encapsulation was noted around the majority of the anterior stems in all groups. Although the degree of movement was favourable for improving bone healing and stability of the endoprosthesis system, more work needs to be done to investigate other strategies to further reduce loading on the endoprosthesis to achieve predictable osseointegration at the stems.

Mandibular reconstruction with a bioactive-coated cementless Ti6Al4V modular endoprosthesis in Macaca fascicularis.

The titanium mandibular modular endoprosthesis fixed with polymethylmethacrylate cement in the medullary space of the mandible has been introduced in previous studies. However, the internal parts of these devices have been found to be prone to loosening and wound dehiscence. The current study introduces a newly designed bioactive-coated cementless modular mandibular endoprosthesis, which was used for reconstruction in Macaca fascicularis. The devices were coated with hydroxyapatite (HA) and hydroxyapatite/bioglass (HA/BG) and implanted in unilateral mandibular segmental defects in nine monkeys for 6 months. Biomechanical testing found the reconstructed mandible to have a mean stiffness value of 110.43 N/mm. Histologically, there were both fibrous capsule and woven bone around the device body, and histomorphology analysis showed 64.17% bone contact to device stem surface. The percentage bone volume calculated from micro-computed tomography analysis around the stem surface was found to be superior to that reported in previous studies of cemented mandibular endoprostheses. Intermodular connection screw loosening has also been resolved with the dovetail interconnection. In conclusion, the current bioactive-coated cementless mandibular endoprosthesis is feasible for use in mandibular segmental reconstruction. However, insufficient load-bearing capability and a high rate of intraoral wound dehiscence were found in the majority of the study animals. Further device modifications and improvements in the surgical technique need to be addressed in future studies.