Patients with reconstruction of craniofacial or intraoral defects: development of instruments to measure quality of life.

Patients with reconstruction of craniofacial or intraoral defects experience a profound impact on their quality of life (QOL). This impact on QOL is influenced by the patients' medical conditions and the treatment interventions. Instruments to measure general QOL have been available for many years. A major criticism of QOL instruments is that too often the questions are not specific to the particular problems of a disease or condition. A search of the literature regarding QOL measurement for patients with maxillofacial implant-supported prostheses produced a short list of instruments, none of which were sufficiently developed or suited to the patients involved in reconstructive treatment. This study was designed to develop pretreatment and posttreatment questionnaires for measuring QOL for patients with reconstruction of a craniofacial defect and patients with reconstruction of loss of specific intraoral structures utilizing an implant-supported prosthesis (e.g., severe resorption of the maxilla or mandible or both). The goal was to develop brief, targeted instruments for this specific patient population. The produced instruments were sensitive and easy to administer and score, and no disruption of clinical care occurred with the administration of the questionnaires. The instruments were used with equal success both in face-to-face interviews and via mail.

Maxillary antral-nasal inlay autogenous bone graft reconstruction of compromised maxilla: a 12-year retrospective study.

During a 12-year period (1984-1996), 118 maxillary inlay autogenous bone grafts and 248 commercially pure titanium threaded root-form endosseous implants were placed in 54 consecutively treated patients with compromised maxillary bone. In this retrospective clinical study, 3 groups of patients were reviewed, group selection being based on anatomic location and surgical access to the recipient site. Group 1 included patients with bone grafts placed in the antrum floor via an intraoral antrostomy exposure, group 2 included patients with bone grafts placed in the nasal floor via an anterior intraoral nasotomy exposure, and group 3 included patients with bone grafts placed in the antral and nasal floor via an intraoral Le Fort I osteotomy downfracture exposure. Each patient received an implant-supported dental prosthesis. For the combined 3 groups, survival rates were 87% for endosseous implants and 100% for autogenous bone grafts. The success rate for the dental prostheses in the 3 groups was 95%. Sixty-nine dental prostheses functioned a mean of 57.1 months, whereas 3 prostheses required remaking because of implant loss. Of the medical and mechanical risk factors tabulated in this study, current use of nicotine, history of sinusitis, molar site implant placement, and shorter implant lengths had the most influence on implant failure.

A randomized, multicenter comparison of tacrolimus and cyclosporine immunosuppressive regimens in cardiac transplantation: decreased hyperlipidemia and hypertension with tacrolimus.

BACKGROUND: Tacrolimus-based immunosuppression seems safe and effective in liver and kidney transplantation. To assess the safety and efficacy of tacrolimus (TAC)-based immunosuppression after cardiac transplantation as well as the relative impact of tacrolimus on immunosuppression-related side effects such as hypertension and hyperlipidemia, we conducted a prospective, randomized, open-label, multicenter study of otherwise identical tacrolimus- and cyclosporine-based immunosuppressive regimens in adult patients undergoing cardiac transplantation. METHODS: Eighty-five adult patients (pts) at six United States cardiac transplant centers, undergoing their first cardiac transplant procedure, were prospectively randomized to receive either TAC-based (n = 39) or cyclosporine (CYA)-based (n = 46) immunosuppression. All pts received a triple-drug protocol with 15 pts (18%) receiving peri-operative OKT3 to delay TAC/CYA due to pre-transplant renal dysfunction. Endomyocardial biopsies were performed at Weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 24, and 52. The study duration was 12 months. RESULTS: Patients were mostly male (87%) Caucasian (90%) with a mean age of 54 years and primary diagnoses of coronary artery disease (55%) and idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (41%). There were no significant demographic differences between groups. Patient and allograft survival were not different in the two groups. The probability and overall incidence of each grade of rejection, whether treated or not, and the types of treatment required did not differ between the groups. At baseline and through 12 months of follow-up, chemistry and hematology values were similar between the groups except serum cholesterol was higher in the CYA group at 3, 6, and 12 months (239 vs 205 mg/dL, 246 vs 191 mg/dL, 212 vs 186 mg/dL, respectively, p < 0.001). Likewise, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides were significantly higher in the CYA group. More CYA patients received therapy for hypercholesterolemia (71% vs 41% at 12 months, p = 0.01). There were no significant differences in renal function, hyperglycemia, hypomagnesemia, or hyperkalemia during the first 12 months. More CYA patients developed new-onset hypertension requiring pharmacologic treatment (71% vs 48%, p = 0.05). The incidence of infection was the same for the two groups (2.6 episodes/pt/12 month follow-up). CONCLUSION: Tacrolimus-based immunosuppression seems effective for rejection prophylaxis during the first year after cardiac transplantation and is associated with less hypertension and hyperlipidemia and no difference in renal function, hyperglycemia or infection incidence when compared to cyclosporine-based immunosuppression.

Surgical-prosthodontic reconstruction of advanced maxillary bone compromise with autogenous onlay block bone grafts and osseointegrated endosseous implants: a 12-year study of 32 consecutive patients.

During a 12-year period (1984 to 1997), 32 consecutive patients with advanced maxillary bone compromise received surgical-prosthodontic rehabilitation. The most frequent procedure used was maxillary augmentation with a free nonvascularized autogenous onlay block bone graft, and the average time of prosthesis function was 67 months. Twenty-eight patients underwent a 1-stage procedure, in which endosseous implants were placed simultaneously for internal rigid skeletal fixation of the onlay bone graft, and 4 patients underwent a 2-stage procedure, in which endosseous implants were placed secondarily 6 months after complete healing of the previously placed onlay bone graft, which initially was stabilized by titanium miniplates and lag screws. Treatment success was evaluated separately for the first 7 consecutively treated patients (developmental group) and for the next 25 consecutive patients (routine group). Assessment was made of implant survival relative to etiology of bone loss, implant type and length, type of prosthesis, type of opposing occlusion, type of surgical procedure, and presence of discontinuity. The implant survival rate was 91% in the 25 routine patients and 65% in the 7 developmental patients. Implant type and length, prosthesis type, opposing occlusion, and the presence or absence of discontinuity significantly impacted treatment outcome. Onlay block bone graft success (96%) in all 32 treated patients and prosthetic success (96%) in the last 25 patients was recorded.

Reconstructing the human face by using the tissue-integrated prosthesis.

Reconstructing the human face with autogenous tissue is extremely difficult. A prosthetic device is often used, but retention is a problem. The tissue-integrated prosthesis has resolved this issue, however, and the technique is currently available worldwide. The tissue-integrated prosthesis--that is, a prosthesis supported (retained) by osseointegrated implants in the underlying bone--originated during the 1950s, when Brånemark began his laboratory studies of tissue healing in Sweden. The term "osseointegration" was introduced in 1977 and later was defined as "direct anchorage of an implant by the formation of bony tissue around the implant without the growth of fibrous tissue at the bone-implant interface." Early studies during the 1980s and 1990s documented the success of reconstruction of the human face with use of the tissue-integrated prosthesis. Herein we describe three cases in which this reconstructive procedure was successful.

Fluoroscopy and selective angiography of left ventricular assist system inflow cannula as a method of detecting cannula entrapment.

Left ventricular assist systems have become an important tool as a bridge to cardiac transplantation. Malfunction of these devices often leads to clinical and hemodynamic deterioration. One potential complication is the obstruction of the inflow cannula secondary to remodeling of the left ventricular cavity. We report two cases where fluoroscopy and selective angiography were used to visualize the orientation and obstruction of the inflow cannula when echocardiographic findings were indeterminant.

Complex craniofacial reconstruction using an implant-supported prosthesis: case report with long-term follow-up.

In complex craniofacial reconstruction involving an implant-supported prosthesis, problems such as tumor recurrence may require additional surgical resection. The solution to such recurrence may be autogenous bone grafting or additional implant placement or both (after resection of the tumor) and revision of the prosthesis. Tumor recurrence was seen during an 11-year, 8-month follow-up of a 58-year-old woman who had had an extensive mid-face defect. The various treatments, including extraoral and intraoral prostheses, provided the patient with an acceptable quality of life without interruption in use of the prostheses.

Mandibular endosseous implants and autogenous bone grafting in irradiated tissue: a 10-year retrospective study.

Nineteen patients received tumoricidal doses of radiation and subsequently underwent mandibular endosseous implant reconstruction, followed by dental rehabilitation with complete arch fixed osseoprostheses. Eight of the 19 patients also underwent autogenous bone graft reconstruction for mandibular discontinuity. A surgical and prosthetic protocol for irradiated head and neck oncology patients is presented. The 10-year retrospective study of 19 consecutively treated patients revealed an endosseous implant survival of 99%, dental osseoprosthesis continuous service of 100%, and successful bone graft reconstruction of 89%.

Disproportionate HLA matching may contribute to racial disparity in patient survival following cardiac transplantation.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of recipient race as well as HLA matching upon long-term survival following heart transplantation (HTx). The study also determines whether the degree of HLA matching between Caucasians and African Americans differs. This study was a retrospective analysis of 336 males (77% Caucasians and 23% African Americans) transplanted between 1983 and 1994, all having received cyclosporine-based immunosuppression. The results showed African Americans were transplanted at a significantly younger age than Caucasians (39.1 +/- 11.2 vs. 48.2 +/- 10 yr). The composition of end stage cardiac disease was startlingly different. Caucasians demonstrated 62% CAD, 31% IDCM and 7% other, whereas African Americans exhibited 24% CAD, 69% IDCM and 7% other. The ten-year survival rate for African American male recipients was inferior to Caucasian males. Survival at 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 yr was 83%, 73%, 63%, 51%, 46% for Caucasians and 70%, 58%, 51%, 38% and 32% for African Americans. Furthermore, African Americans received more poorly matched organs compared to Caucasians. Among Caucasians for Class I, 46%, 53% and 1% received poor, moderate and well matched hearts, respectively. In contrast, African American were allocated 65%, 33% and 0% of poor, moderate, or well matched hearts. An analysis of Class II data revealed the same pattern (63%, 35% 2% of Caucasians and 78%, 18%, and 4% of African Americans received poor, moderate or well matched hearts). Survival for Caucasians improved when moderately versus poorly matched for Class I. Class II matching did not have an effect. African Americans showed a similar trend, although statistical significance was not reached. When comparing equivalent degrees of matching, African Americans had inferior survival rate when poorly matched for Class I relative to Caucasians. No statistical difference was observed for moderate matched Class I or for Class II analysis.

Bone-anchored craniofacial prosthesis study: irradiated patients.

A prospective study involving 24 treatment centers and 145 patients was conducted to evaluate the long-term osseointegration success rate for titanium implants anchoring a craniofacial prosthesis (auricular, orbital, and nasal), and to evaluate the long-term retention and stability of the prosthesis. Twenty patients (14%) in this study had received prior irradiation therapy, and 60 implants were placed in these 20 irradiated patients. Nine of the 60 implants were lost (85% survival rate). Although the few patients and few implants may not allow for conclusions to be drawn, analysis and review of the data on these irradiated patients may assist in reliable and valid comparisons to be made with other published studies.

Endosseous implants in an irradiated tissue bed.

Endosseous implants have been placed at the Mayo Clinic Department of Dental Specialties for over 12 years. On the basis of the clinical success of the osseointegration program, the use of implants has been expanded to include placement into tissue beds that have been exposed to therapeutic radiation. This article details preliminary data regarding implant survival in the previously radiated tissue beds. Presurgical evaluation and surgical technique are described and postprosthetic reconstruction complications are also related. Consideration is given to the relatively small number of patients in this review. It is suggested that the results should be shared among multiple institutions to create a meaningful data bank.

Bone-anchored craniofacial prosthesis study.

A prospective study involving 24 centers and 145 patients was conducted to evaluate the long-term osseointegration survival rate for titanium implants anchoring a craniofacial prosthesis (auricular, orbital, or nasal) and to evaluate the long-term retention and stability of the prosthesis. Of 452 implants placed, 19 were lost (overall survival rate of 96%). Of the 145 patients, 115 were evaluated (remained active) throughout the study period and were followed-up for at least 30 months. The results of the study suggest that the bone-anchored craniofacial prosthesis system is a viable alternative to conventional reconstructive surgery and offers significant improvement in the quality of life when compared with the support systems previously available for these types of prostheses.

Reconstructive procedures with endosseous implants in grafted bone: a review of the literature.

A review of the literature, provided by a MEDLINE search from 1976 through April 1994 and review of selected journals published from April 1994 to November 1994, relative to reconstructive procedures of the mandible and maxilla in which endosseous implants have been placed in grafted bone was conducted. This review revealed that 591 patients received 733 grafts in which 2,315 implants were placed. The types of grafts reported were block, autogenous bone (nonvascularized or vascularized), and particulate with a variety of materials. Results of these grafts are presented with the different implant systems utilized. Wound dehiscence seems to have the most deleterious effect on implant survival rate.

Maxillary antral and nasal one-stage inlay composite bone graft: preliminary report on 30 recipient sites.

A one-stage antral and nasal inlay composite bone grafting procedure is described. Preliminary statistical data (1 to 6 years experience with the procedure) is presented for 30 recipient sites in 20 patients. A complete bone-supported fixed prosthesis was used and has provided continuous function in all patients to date. Implant survival has approached that of implants placed in uncompromised maxillary or mandibular bone.

Tissue-integrated dental prostheses: the first 78 months of experience at the Mayo Clinic.

During a 78-month period at the Mayo Clinic, 1,778 Brånemark endosseous dental implants were placed in the edentulous or partially edentulous jaws of 353 consecutive patients who ranged in age from 8 to 82 years. The largest treatment category involved edentulous mandibles, which accounted for 53% of the total restorations. Approximately 76% of the threaded cylindrical implants supported 312 oral prostheses at the end of the study period. The implant survival rate was 97.8% in the mandible and 88.8% in the maxilla. Complications associated with this treatment included loss of implant anchorage in bone, soft tissue problems, and mechanical difficulties related to design and function of the prostheses. All complications were managed without loss of continuous function of the prostheses, except in four patients who resumed wearing a conventional removable maxillary complete denture. This experience demonstrates that Brånemark endosseous dental implants are predictable and can provide lasting integration under function when placed and loaded in accordance with the recommended protocol.

Advanced residual ridge resorption: surgical management.

With the introduction of osseointegration by Dr P.-I. Brånemark, reconstruction of advanced residual ridge resorption has become a successful procedure in patients for whom previous methods had been disappointing. For reconstruction of the maxillae an onlay, nasal and/or antral inlay, labial and/or buccal onlay, or interpositional bone graft with osseointegrated implants used to provide support for both the graft and the prosthesis can be used. The maxillary and mandibular onlay bone grafts and the nasal and/or antral inlay bone grafts are discussed.

The applicability of osseointegrated implants in the treatment of partially edentulous patients: three-year results of a prospective multicenter study.

Nine clinical centers using the Brånemark System participated in a prospective study of 159 partially edentulous patients between 18 and 70 years of age. Clinical parameters evaluated were Plaque Index, gingivitis, pocket depth, Bleeding Index, tooth mobility, prosthesis stability, and stomatognathic function. Change in bone height around fixtures was measured radiographically. After 3 years, 460 loaded fixtures, supporting 174 prostheses in 139 patients, remain in the study. The complications, failures, and technical problems are presented. After 3 years of this 5-year study, results suggest that implant-based treatment of partially edentulous patients may achieve a success rate comparable to that obtained in edentulous patients.

Tissue-integrated prosthesis complications.

Over a 78-month period from 1983 to 1990 at the Mayo Clinic, 353 patients involving 407 jaws were restored with 1,778 Brånemark system implants supporting prostheses. Complications involved loss of implant anchorage, soft tissue problems, or mechanical problems. The most predominant complication involved soft tissues. There were 152 patients with loaded prostheses who had no complications and 37 with only one occurrence. Those seen in 160 patients with more than one occurrence were all conservatively managed, so that prosthesis use was only permanently discontinued in 4 patients, who returned to the use of a maxillary complete denture.