Blog Archive

Αλέξανδρος Γ. Σφακιανάκης

Tuesday, June 7, 2022

Analysis of cost and outcomes in bony versus soft tissue midface free flap reconstruction

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader

Abstract

Background

Outcomes and cost of soft tissue versus bony midface free flap reconstruction (MR) with and without virtual surgical planning (VSP) were evaluated.

Methods

Retrospective review of MR including ischemic time (IT), operative duration (OD), length of stay (LOS), and total cost (TC). Eighty-one soft tissue and 76 bony MR (VSP = 23) were reviewed.

Results

Bony MR was used for higher complexity defects (p = 0.003) and was associated with higher IT (p < 0.001), OD (p < 0.001), LOS (p = 0.032), and TC (p < 0.001). VSP was associated with a mean 111.2 ± 37.9 minute reduction in OD (p = 0.004) compared to non-VSP bony flaps. VSP was associated with higher itemized cost, but no increase in TC (p = 0.327).

Conclusions

Bony MR was used for higher complexity MR and was associated with increased TC, LOS, OD, and IT. VSP shortened OD with no significant increase in TC.

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Effects of 4-hexylresorcinol administration on the submandibular glands in a growing rat model

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader

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4-Hexylresorcinol (4HR) is a food additive and class I histone deacetylase inhibitor. In this study, we examined the effects of 4HR administration on the submandibular gland in a growing rat model.
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Comparison between connective tissue graft and xenogeneic acellular dermal matrix to treat single gingival recession: A data reanalysis of randomized clinical trials

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader

Abstract

Objectives

There are few studies comparing xenogeneic acellular dermal matrixes (XDMs) with connective tissue graft (CTG) to treat single gingival recession (GR). The present study involved a reanalysis of previous studies and comparison of CTG or XDM to treat single RT1/GR.

Materials and methods

Fifty patients from three previous randomized clinical trials treated either by CTG (n = 25) or XDM (n = 25) were evaluated after 6-month. Clinical, patient-centered, and esthetic parameters were assessed. Pearson's correlation and regression analyses were also performed.

Results

Greater recession reduction (RecRed), percentage of root coverage (%RC), and complete root coverage (CRC) were observed in the CTG group (p ≤ 0.02). Gingival thickness (GT) and keratinized tissue width (KTW) gains were higher in the CTG group. The CTG group showed better esthetic at 6-month. Logistic analyses reported that GT([OR] = 1.6473) and papilla height (PH) (OR = 8.20) are predictors of CRC. GT*XDM interaction was a negative predictor of CRC (OR = 7.105−5). GT at baseline acted as a predictor of RecRed in both groups (p = 0.03). The XDM graft impacted RecRed and %RC negatively. Baseline PH was a predictor of %RC for both grafts.

Conclusion

CTG was superior for treating RT1/GR, providing better root coverage outcomes and tissue gains over time. GT, PH, and graft type were classified as predictors of CRC.

Clinical significance

CTG presented better outcomes to treat single RT1 gingival recession when compared to the XDM.

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Efficacy and safety of piezocision in accelerating maxillary anterior teeth en-masse retraction: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader

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Orthodontic treatment is commonly more time-consuming in adults than in teenagers, especially when it comes to the maxillary en-masse retraction, which may take 9 months or even longer. As to solve this concer...
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Keeping up with the guidelines: design changes to the STREAM stage 2 randomised controlled non-inferiority trial for rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader

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Results from the STREAM stage 1 trial showed that a 9-month regimen for patients with rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis was non-inferior to the 20-month regimen recommended by the 2011 WHO treatment guidelines...
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Intraoperative Redosing of Surgical Antibiotic Prophylaxis in Addition to Preoperative Prophylaxis Versus Single-dose Prophylaxis for the Prevention of Surgical Site Infection: A Meta-analysis and GRADE Recommendation

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader
imageObjective: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of preoperative surgical antibiotic prophylaxis (SAP) with additional intraoperative redosing compared to single-dose preoperative surgical antibiotic prophylaxis on the incidence of surgical site infections (SSI). Summary Background Data: Preoperative SAP is standard care for the prevention of SSI. During long surgical procedures, additional intraoperative redosing of SAP is advised, but there is great variability in redosing strategies and compliance rates. Methods: We performed a systematic search of MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase, CINAHL and CENTRAL on June 25th, 2021 according to PROSPERO registration CRD42021229035. We included studies that compared the effect of preoperative SAP with additional intraoperative redosing to single dose preoperative SAP (no redosing) on SSI incidence in patients undergoing any type of surgery. Two researchers performed data appraisal and extraction of summary data independently. Meta-analyses were stratified per study type. We used a generic inverse variance random-effects model to estimate a pooled odds ratio with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: We included 2 randomized controlled trials (RCT) and 8 cohort studies comprising of 9470 patients. Pooled odds ratios for SSI in patients receiving intraoperative redosing compared to those without redosing were 0.47 (95% CI: 0.19–1.16. I2 = 36%) for RCTs and 0.55 (95% CI: 0.38–0.79, I2 = 56%) for observational cohorts. There was considerable clinical heterogeneity among antibiotics used and redosing protocols. GRADE-assessment showed overall low certainty of evidence. Conclusion: Intraoperative redosing of SAP may reduce incidence of SSI compared to a single dose preoperative SAP in any type of surgery, based on studies with considerable heterogeneity of antibiotic regimens and redosing protocols.
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Amylase as a Diagnostic Tool for Plunging Ranula: Clinical Series and Description of the Technique

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader

Objectives

This study describes a technique of measurement for neck cyst amylase content and reviews the experience of a tertiary referral center for cases of suspected plunging ranula.

Methods

A retrospective study was performed at the Manukau Surgical Center in Auckland, New Zealand. Patients with a possible diagnosis of plunging ranula based on clinical presentation and diagnostic aspiration of the cyst contents were included. Demographic data, imaging and laboratory findings were collected, along with findings from surgery and histology. The technique for measuring the amylase of the aspirated cyst contents was also carefully recorded.

Results

The 37 cases of confirmed plunging ranula included in this study had a submandibular cystic swelling that was aspirated. Imaging features consistent with a plunging ranula were seen in 89% of the study group. All cases had detectable levels of amylase of ≥3 U/L in the ranula contents. There was large variability (range: 5–560 U/L) in the concentration of amylase, with 70% of the cases demonstrating an amylase concentration below 200 U/L. Aspirates were typically described as viscous (87.5%) and yellow or straw-colored.

Conclusion

The combination of clinical presentation, imaging and the presence of amylase in the cyst contents is diagnostic for plunging ranula.

Level of Evidence

IV Laryngoscope, 2022

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Long-term outcomes and late toxicity of adult medulloblastoma treated with combined modality therapy: a contemporary single-institution experience

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader
Abstract
Background
Medulloblastoma (MB) is a rare central nervous system malignancy of adults, with limited contemporary studies to define treatment guidelines and expected late toxicity.
Methods
A single-center, retrospective study was conducted of patients age ≥18-years from 1997-2019 with MB and who were treated with postoperative radiotherapy. Late toxicity was defined as a minimum of 18-months from diagnosis. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were characterized using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses.
Results
Fifty-nine patients met criteria, with median age of 25-years (range 18-62y) and median follow-up of 6.5-years (range 0.7-23.1y). At diagnosis, 68% were standard-risk, 88% Chang M0, and 22% with anaplastic histology. Gross total resection was achieved in 75%; median craniospinal irradiation dose was 30.6Gy(relative biological effectiveness [RBE]), median total dose was 54.0Gy(RBE), 80 % received proton radiotherapy; 81% received chemotherapy. 5-year PFS and OS were 86.5% and 95.8%, respectively; 10-year PFS and OS were 83.9% and 90.7%, respectively. Anaplastic histology was associated with worse PFS (p=0.04). Among eight recurrences, 25% presented after 5-years. Most common grade ≥2 late toxicities were anxiety/depressive symptoms (30%), motor dysfunction (25%), and ototoxicity (22%). Higher posterior fossa radiation dose was associated with increased risk of late toxicity, including worse cognitive dysfunction (p = 0.05).
Conclusions
Adults with MB have favorable survival outcomes, but late failures and toxicity are not uncommon. Better understanding of prognostic factors, possibly from molecular subtyping, may help to define more personalized treatments for patients with high risk of recurrence and long-term treatment sequelae.
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Effectiveness of root canal instrumentation for the treatment of apical periodontitis: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader

Abstract

Background

The development of endodontic instruments has rapidly advanced but their impact on endodontic outcome parameters remain unclear.

Objectives

This systematic review aimed to answer the following PICOT questions:

In patients with apical periodontitis (P) what is the effectiveness of root canal instrumentation [(Q1) performed with contemporary techniques (I) in comparison with "traditional" techniques (C)] and [(Q2) performed with contemporary engine-driven NiTi instruments (I) compared with other types of contemporary engine-driven NiTi instruments (with different design and/or technology) (C)] in terms of clinical and patient-related outcomes (O)?

Methods

After PROSPERO protocol registration, a literature search was conducted using Clarivate Analytics' Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Grey literature and major journal contents were examined. Two independent reviewers performed the study selection, data extraction, and appraisal of included studies. A quantitative meta-analysis was considered and statistical heterogeneity and overall quality of evidence were assessed.

Results

Nine studies were identified showing substantial methodological differences. Five studies addressed PICOT 1 and three PICOT 2, whereas one study aimed both. A random-effects meta-analysis model was considered for the outcome "radiographic evidence of normal periodontal ligament space or reduction of apical lesion size" (PICOT 1) based in three studies with 332 evaluable participants and showed that contemporary instrumentation was associated with a more favourable outcome (p= .005) compared to root canal preparation with stainless steel instruments (odds ratio=2.07 [95%-confidence interval=1.25-3.44]) with no evidence of statistical heterogeneity (I2=0%) but low quality of evidence.

Discussion

Albeit a few studies fulfilled eligible criteria, no study had a low risk of bias. Compelling evidence indicating significantly different outcome rates using different endodontic instruments when treating teeth with apical periodontitis is lacking.

Conclusions

In terms of healing, the results of the meta-analysis determined the higher effectiveness of root canal instrumentation performed with contemporary techniques in comparison with conventional stainless steel instruments in patients with apical periodontitis followed for a minimum of 1 year with low quality of evidence. No differences could be demonstrated between preparations with traditional stainless steel and contemporary NiTi instruments for other clinical and patient-related outcomes.

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Polygenic early‐onset colorectal cancer in pediatric patients

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader

Abstract

Colorectal cancer in the pediatric population is a rare but transpirable phenomenon. The occurrence should prompt suspicion for underlying genetic mutations in the setting of a hereditary cancer predisposition syndrome. In this series, we outline three pediatric patients with colonic adenocarcinoma who were found to have one or more germline mutations. The presence of compound mutations may lead to a hypermutator phenotype resulting in earlier presentation of colorectal cancer in childhood and adolescence. The diagnosis of colorectal cancer in pediatric patients warrants timely recognition, multigene panel testing, genetic counseling for the patient and family, and increased surveillance for intestinal and extra-intestinal tumors.

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