Biomaterials and osteoradionecrosis of the jaw: Review of the literature according to the SWiM methodology.

OBJECTIVES: To systematically present and interpret the current literature on research and treatment perspectives for mandibular osteoradionecrosis (mORN) in the field of biomaterials. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A systematic review of the literature using the "Synthesis without meta-analysis" (SWiM) methodology was performed on PubMed, Embase and Cochrane, focusing on the implantation of synthetic biomaterials for bone reconstruction in mORN in humans and/or animal models. The primary endpoints were the composition, efficacy on mORN and tolerance of the implanted synthetic biomaterials. RESULTS: Forty-seven references were obtained and evaluated in full-text by two assessors. Ten (8 in humans and 2 in animal models) met the eligibility criteria and were included for analysis. Materials most often comprised support plates or metal mesh (5 of 10 cases) in combination with grafts or synthetic materials (phosphocalcic ceramics, glutaraldehyde). Other ceramic/polymer composites were also implanted. In half of the selected reports, active compounds (molecules, growth factors, lysates) and/or cells were associated with the reconstruction material. The number of articles referring to implantation of biomaterials for the treatment of mORN was small, and the properties of the implanted biomaterials were generally poorly described, thus limiting a thorough understanding of their role. CONCLUSION: In preventing the morbidity associated with some reconstructive surgeries, basic research has benefitted from recent advances in tissue engineering and biomaterials to repair limited bone loss.

Biofunctionalization of 3D-printed silicone implants with immunomodulatory hydrogels for controlling the innate immune response: An in vivo model of tracheal defect repair.

The recent advances in 3D-printed silicone (PDMS: polydimethylsiloxane) implants present prospects for personalized implants with highly accurate anatomical conformity. However, a potential adverse effect, such as granuloma formation due to immune reactions, still exists. One potential way to overcome this problem is to control the implant/host interface using immunomodulatory coatings. In this study, a new cytokine cocktail composed of interleukin-10 and prostaglandin-E2 was designed to decrease adverse immune reactions and promote tissue integration by fixing macrophages into M2 pro-healing phenotype for an extended period of time. In vitro, the cytokine cocktail maintained low levels of pro-inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α and IL-6) secretions and induced the secretion of IL-10 and the upregulation of multifunctional scavenging and sorting receptor stabilin-1, expressed by M2 macrophages. This cocktail was then loaded in a gelatine-based hydrogel to develop an immunomodulatory material that could be used as a coating for medical devices. The efficacy of this coating was demonstrated in an in vivo rat model during the reconstruction of a tracheal defect by 3D-printed silicone implants. The coating was stable on the silicone implants for over 2 weeks, and the controlled release of the cocktail components was achieved for at least 14 days. In vivo, only 33% of the animals with bare silicone implants survived, whereas 100% of the animals survived with the implant equipped with the immunomodulatory hydrogel. The presence of the hydrogel and the cytokine cocktail diminished the thickness of the inflammatory tissue, the intensity of both acute and chronic inflammation, the overall fibroblastic reaction, the presence of oedema and the formation of fibrinoid (assessed by histology) and led to a 100% survival rate. At the systemic level, the presence of immunomodulatory hydrogels significantly decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IFN-γ, CXCL1 and MCP-1 levels at day 7 and significantly decreased IL-1α, IL-1ß, CXCL1 and MCP-1 levels at day 21. The ability of this new immunomodulatory hydrogel to control the level of inflammation once applied to a 3D-printed silicone implant has been demonstrated. Such thin coatings can be applied to any implants or scaffolds used in tissue engineering to diminish the initial immune response, improve the integration and functionality of these materials and decrease potential complications related to their presence.

A prospective video-based observational and analytical approach to evaluate management during brain tumour surgery at a university hospital.

The operating room (OR) is a high-risk complex setting, where patient safety relies on the coordinated efforts of multiple team members. However, little attention has been paid to evaluating the strategies employed by OR practitioners to prevent and correct incidents that inevitably occur during surgery. Therefore, we were prompted to investigate human factor (HF) engineering methods that have been used in an innovative way in order to systematically observe and analyze the management of incidents in the neurosurgical OR of a French university hospital. A technical case report illustrates our approach that associates the following procedures: the recording of OR team member activities and behaviour by video cameras and direct observation of a HF researcher, with the description and the explicit demonstration of safety related procedures in self- and cross-confrontation interviews of OR team members. This technical report emphasizes complementary aspects of clinical performance related to safety skills. Moreover, individual and team performances rely on complementary abilities that associate practical knowledge, skills, and attitudes, which are engaged at various degrees to prevent and manage incidents. This report also enlightens new quality-improvement opportunities as well as further objectives for future studies.