Second-stage Surgery Research Articles

Intraoperative evaluation of polymorphonuclear leukocyte during second-stage revision surgery promote overdiagnosis of persistent periprosthetic joint infection

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate whether intraoperative histopathological examination could predict the risk of relapse of infection in periprosthetic joint infections (PJI). MethodsThe study included 25 patients (14 women and 11 men, with a mean age of 67.0 years (range, 37–83 years)), who had two-staged revision surgery for a PJI. Following prosthetic removal in the first stage, all patient underwent an intraoperative histopathological examination during the second stage. The patients were divided into PMNs-positive group (≥five PMNs per high-powered field) or -negative group (<five PMNs). A relapse was defined as the occurrence of PJI. Median follow-up was 51 months (range, 32–80 months) following second-stage revision surgery. ResultsIntraoperative histopathological revealed that 8.0% of cases were PMNs-positive. Postoperative histopathological examination revealed that 28.0% of cases were PMNs-positive. 28.0% of cases showed discrepancy between the PMNs-positivity. Intraclass correlation coefficient indicates poor reproducibility. Infection relapse after revision surgery occurred in two cases (8.0%); both relapse cases were from the PMNs-negative group. There was no statistical relationship between the presence of PMNs in periprosthetic tissue by intraoperative or postoperative histopathological examination and relapse of infection. ConclusionsOur findings showed that intraoperative histopathological examination could not predict the relapse of infection. Intraoperative histopathological examination promotes overdiagnosis of the requirement for re-implantation of antibiotic-impregnated cement and prolonged treatment periods. Level of evidenceLevel III, diagnostic study

Changes in Antibiotic Susceptibility of Staphylococcus aureus Between the Stages of 2-Stage Revision Arthroplasty

BackgroundStaphylococcus aureus is the predominant cause of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) and can persist at the time of planned second stage of 2-stage revision arthroplasty, despite antibiotic cement spacer insertion and parenteral antibiotic therapy. Given the rapid emergence of antibiotic resistance, it is important to determine whether the antibiotic susceptibility of microorganisms changes between the stages of a 2-stage revision. MethodsA total of 1614 2-stage revision hip/knee arthroplasties performed for PJI at 2 academic institutions from 2000 to 2015 were identified. S aureus (methicillin susceptible and/or resistant) was isolated by culture in 402 (24.9%) cases during the first stage (resection arthroplasty). S aureus persisted and was cultured in 30 cases (knees = 18, hips = 12) during the second stage. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs), demographics, antibiotic therapy, and surgical history were collected. The MICs at the time of the first-stage and second-stage surgeries were compared. ResultsNine (30%) revisions had an increase in vancomycin MIC. Six had an increase from ≤0.5 to 1 μg/mL, 2 had an increase from ≤0.5 to 2 μg/mL, and 1 had an increase from 1 to 2 μg/mL. All of the 9 revisions with an increase in vancomycin MIC had vancomycin in spacer. ConclusionIncreases in the MICs were observed for vancomycin, the antibiotic widely used in cement spacers, in about one-third of the revisions. Despite the small sample size, the data from this preliminary study raise concern about the potential for emergence of resistant organisms between the stages of a 2-stage revision.

Surgery without papilla incision: tunneling flap procedures in plastic periodontal and implant surgery.

Diverse clinical advancements, together with some relevant technical innovations, have led to an increase in popularity of tunneling flap procedures in plastic periodontal and implant surgery in the recent past. This trend is further promoted by the fact that these techniques have lately been introduced to a considerably expanded range of indications. While originally described for the treatment of gingival recession-type defects, tunneling flap procedures may now be applied successfully in a variety of clinical situations in which augmentation of the soft tissues is indicated in the esthetic zone. Potential clinical scenarios include surgical thickening of thin buccal gingiva or peri-implant mucosa, alveolar ridge/socket preservation and implant second-stage surgery, as well as soft-tissue ridge augmentation or pontic site development. In this way, tunneling flap procedures developed from a technique, originally merely intended for surgical root coverage, into a capacious surgical conception in plastic periodontal and implant surgery. The purpose of this article is to provide a comprehensive overview on tunneling flap procedures, to introduce the successive development of the approach along with underlying ideas on surgical wound healing and to present contemporary clinical scenarios in step-by-step photograph-illustrated sequences, which aim to provide clinicians with guidance to help them integrate tunneling flap procedures into their daily clinical routine.

The use of free nonvascularized fibular graft in the induced membrane technique to manage post-traumatic bone defects.

The aim of the present study is to assess the results of free nonvascularized fibular graft in the induced membrane technique to manage bone defects. Fifteen patients with segmental skeletal defects were treated by the induced membrane technique using free nonvascularized fibular graft. The ages ranged from 20 to 48years with an average of 32years. The cause of the defects was post-traumatic bone loss in all cases. The defects were located in the distal femur in nine cases, proximal tibia in two cases and middle third of the tibia in four cases. The defects ranged from 5 to 14cm with an average of 8cm. All cases were treated by the induced membrane technique in two stages. Autogenous cancellous bone graft and free nonvascularized fibular graft were used to fill the defect in the second stage of surgery. All cases healed without additional procedures after the second stage except in two cases. The time-to-bone union ranged from 4 to 13months with an average of 7months. After physiotherapy, all cases regained good range of ankle and knee movements except two cases. The complications included nonunion of the graft in two cases, deep wound infection in one case, and chronic pain along the iliac crest in one case. No cases were complicated by implant failure or refracture. The use of free nonvascularised fibular graft in the induced membrane technique reduces the time of healing and improves the final outcome.

Polyethylene on Cement Spacers: An Economic Approach to an Effective Infection Eradication in a Two-Stage Knee Revision Articulating Spacers.

Although two-stage revision surgery is generally considered as the gold standard treatment for periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) after total knee arthroplasty, the procedure is limited by the costs of commercially preformed spacers used for treatment. In this work, we aim to report a modified approach by which the cost of the spacer could be significantly reduced without compromising eradication of infection. Between 2010 and 2016, we performed a total of 11 two-stage revision arthroplasties using a surgically handmade spacer with a new polyethylene insert. Patients were aged 59 to 80 years old (mean 69.9 years), with a range of motion (ROM) between 20° and 65° on the affected knee (mean 46.4°) before the first-stage revision surgery. During the perioperative and postoperative period, functional and clinical evaluation of the patients were performed, including the determination of their articular ROM, Knee Society Knee Scores (KSKS), and Knee Society Function Scores (KSFS). All patients were followed up for an average of 2 years, ranging from 1 to 4 years. After the second-stage revision surgery, the mean ROM was increased by 46.8° (46.4°-93.2°) after the second-stage revision. KSKS and KSFS scores were recorded to increase by an average of 44.5° (range 40.4°-84.9°) and 46.9° (range 38.5°-85.4°), respectively. All 11 patients underwent a successful two-stage revision surgery, and no evidence of postsurgical infection was found during patient follow-up examination. Our results show that this personalized handmade antibiotic-loaded articulating spacer is cost-effective and efficacious.

Five-year postoperative outcomes of modified staged canal wall up tympanoplasty for primary acquired cholesteatoma.

For successful canal wall up tympanoplasty (CWUT) for the treatment of cholesteatoma, the restoration of stable middle ear aeration is also important; however, little is known about the dynamics of such aeration or the optimal surgical procedure. In this study, alternative additional surgical procedure was selected based on the grade of middle ear aeration during the second-stage operation. Patients included in this study underwent staged CWUT surgeries with mastoid cortex plasty (MCP) for well-aerated ears (grade 3) and bony mastoid obliteration (BMO) for poorly aerated ears (grade 2-0). Of the 115 ears included in this study, 62 were followed for more than 5years. Recurrence rates with deep retraction pocket formation were assessed using the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. The aeration was graded as: 0, no aeration; 1, aeration of only the mesotympanum; 2, aeration of the entire tympanic cavity; and 3, aeration of both the tympanic and mastoid cavities. No recurrence was observed in ears associated with grade 3 aeration that underwent MCP or in ears with grade 2 aeration that underwent BMO during second-stage surgery. For grades 0 and 1 aeration ears, the recurrence rates were 8.1% after 5years and 12.5% after 10years (p < 0.05), and the aeration of recurrent ears deteriorated to grade 0. Aeration during second-stage surgery predicts the final outcome.

Comparative evaluation of efficacy and soft tissue wound healing using diode laser (810 nm) versus conventional scalpel technique for second-stage implant surgery.

Background:This study was aimed to compare the efficacy and soft tissue wound healing using diode lasers (810 nm) versus conventional scalpel approach as uncovering technique during the second-stage surgery in implants. This was a prospective, randomized study which was conducted on 20 subjects in which the implants were already placed using a two-stage technique. Implant sites were examined and the patients were randomly divided into two groups.Materials and Methods:Patients were randomly divided into two groups, i.e., Group A and Group B. In Group A, implants were uncovered as a part of Stage II surgery with conventional scalpel technique, and in Group B, implants were uncovered using 810 nm diode laser. Clinical parameters such as need and amount of local anesthesia, duration of surgery, intraoperative bleeding, pain index, wound healing index (HI), and time for impression taking were recorded at various intervals.Results:Statistical differences for clinical parameters were seen between Group A and Group B showing uncovery of implant with laser more effective, and for time of impression taking, difference was statistically significant showing that impressions were taken early in case of Group A because of better healing which was recorded with help of HI, but the difference in time of healing between Group A and Group B was not statistically significant.Conclusion:The use of a diode laser (810 nm) in the second-stage implant surgery can minimize surgical trauma, reduce the amount of anesthesia, improve visibility during surgery due to the absence of bleeding, and eliminate postoperative discomfort.

Immediate implant placement: A longitudinal study to assess soft and hard tissue

Objectives: The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate clinically the success and esthetic result (soft-tissue and hard-tissue changes) of immediate implant placement after 1 year. Materials and Methods: Eighteen patients with 23 titanium screw-shaped implants (13–16-mm length and 4.3–5-mm diameters) were placed in the extraction sockets. The jumping distance after implant placement was filled up with G bone synthetic hydroxyapatite granules and platelet-rich fibrin. It was again reevaluated at second-stage surgery. Clinical parameters of the peri-implant conditions were assessed after 1-year follow-up. Statistical Analysis: Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) for Windows, Version 22.0. released 2013. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp, was used to perform statistical analyses. Descriptive Statistics: It includes expression of the study variables with categorical data regarding number and percentage whereas in mean and standard deviation for continuous data. Results: The cumulative implant survival and success rate were determined after 1-year observation period. The analysis of the esthetic result, papillary index, interdental bone, gingival biotype, modified plaque index, and modified bleeding index was analyzed. Conclusion: This study determines us the success rate and esthetics of immediate implant placement after tooth extraction.

Evaluation of survival of 8 mm-length implants in posterior resorbed ridges: A pilot study.

Context:Rehabilitation of jaws with reduced bone height is technically demanding and expensive. Short implants are emerging as an alternate in such cases.Aim:This study aimed to evaluate the survival of implants of 8 mm in length (short implants), clinically and radiographically, in posterior resorbed ridges.Materials and Methods:A total of 11 patients with single missing posterior tooth, having 9–10 mm of residual bone height determined using radiographs, were selected for the study. Twelve implants of 8 mm length were inserted in the resorbed alveolar ridges following standard operating procedure. A second-stage surgery was performed 4–6 months after implant placement for placement of gingival former. This was followed by placement of prosthesis. Twelve months after prosthesis placement, all the patients were examined clinically and radiographically.Results:According to Albrektsson et al.'s criteria, all implants were successful with mean bone loss of 1.1 ± 0.32 mm mesially and 0.83 ± 0.35 mm distally with healthy gingival condition at 12-month follow-up.Conclusion:Short implants (8 mm in length) can be a viable alternative in cases of atrophic alveolar ridges.

Complications with cement spacers in 2-stage treatment of periprosthetic joint infection on total hip replacement.

The aim of the present study was to assess our management of infected total hip replacement in indications for 2-stage surgical treatment according to current guidelines when a cement spacer has been used. The study hypothesis was that the complications rate related to cement spacers is low. A single-center retrospective study included 26 patients receiving a spacer between the two stages of total hip replacement, over a 5 year period. We analyzed the spacers used, mechanical complications, infectious complications and the second stage of surgery. During the interval between surgeries, in the 26 patients, there were 19 spacer-related mechanical complications (73% of patients): 11 dislocations (42.3%), 5 spacer fractures (19.2%), 5 femoral bone lyses or fractures (19.2%) and 3 acetabular lyses or fractures (11.5%). In 4 cases, complications were associated. The greater the femoral offset of the spacer, the more frequent were femoral bone lyses or fractures (p=0.05), and the smaller the offset the more frequent were acetabular lyses or fractures (p=0.05). The rates of mechanical complications (p=0.003) and spacer fracture (p=0.02) were significantly greater in older patients. There were 4 cases of reinfection (19%): i.e., an 81% treatment success rate. One reinfection implicated a new bacterium: methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus. The second surgical stage was significantly longer in complex bipolar revision (p=0.009). The present results showed a high risk of spacer-related complications, and thus the importance of selection of patients liable to derive real benefit and those for whom a Gilderstone procedure would be preferable. IV, retrospective study.

The Feasibility of Flapless Approach to Sinus Augmentation Using an Implant Device Designed According to Residual Alveolar Ridge Height.

Hydraulic sinus lift and augmentation may be successfully performed using a dedicated implant device designed according to residual bone height (RBH). The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a flapless surgical approach might negatively influence the outcome. A total of 40 consecutive patients (16 men and 24 women) were included in the study, 20 in each group (minimal flap/control versus flapless/study). Inclusion criteria were ≥ 3 mm RBH, ≥ 6 mm width of the residual alveolar ridge according to preoperative cone beam computerized tomography, and ≥ 8 mm buccopalatal keratinized gingiva for the flapless group. Primary outcome parameters included intraoperative membrane perforation. Secondary outcome parameters included postoperative infection, soft tissue healing, bone gain, and short-term dental implant survival. Mean RBH was 4.6 mm. No intraoperative membrane perforations and no postoperative infections were observed. Mean bone gain height was similar for both groups, at 11 mm. Soft tissue healing was observed within 2 months. In all cases, second-stage surgery allowed generation of at least 2 mm of keratinized gingiva buccally. All implants were osseointegrated at second-stage surgery. The use of a flapless approach to maxillary sinus augmentation using an implant device based on RBH yields predictable results.

Two-stage revision of infected shoulder arthroplasty using prosthesis of antibiotic-loaded acrylic cement: minimum three-year follow-up.

This study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes and persistent infection rate of two-stage revision of infected shoulder arthroplasty. We enrolled 12 patients who developed an infection after undergoing shoulder arthroplasty between January 2009 and January 2014. They underwent a two-stage revision with PROSTALAC implantation and shoulder re-implantation in the first- and second-stage surgery, respectively. The mean follow-up period was 40.88months (range, 36-52months). After the second-stage re-implantation, clinical scores, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, as well as C-reactive protein level were evaluated, and the presence of re-infection and complications were analyzed. Infection was improved in all the cases after PROSTALAC insertion. The mean range of motion of forward elevation, external rotation, and internal rotation at the final follow-up after the second-stage re-implantation were 81.67°, 40.42°, and 16.67° (vertebral level), respectively. The mean visual analog scale score improved from 7.08 points before surgery to 2.33 points after surgery. The Modified American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score improved from 32.25 before surgery to 64.17 after surgery (P < 0.05). The Constant shoulder score also improved from 30.92 before surgery to 66.08 after surgery (P < 0.05). Infection had not recurred until the final follow-up. However, dislocation and separation of components were found in two patients who needed a structural allograft because of segmental bone defects. Using PROSTALAC in two-stage revision arthroplasty is effective for infection control and produced good clinical outcomes after second-stage shoulder re-implantation. However, cases involving segmental bone defects require additional precautions in maintaining the appropriate tension and height to prevent complications.

Associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy versus conventional two-stage hepatectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundIt is generally accepted that an insufficient future liver remnant is a major limitation of large-scale hepatectomy for patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma. Conventional two-stage hepatectomy (TSH) is commonly considered to accelerate future liver regeneration despite its low regeneration rate. Associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS), which is characterized by a rapid regeneration, has brought new opportunities.MethodsRelevant studies were identified by searching the selected databases up to September 2017. Then, a meta-analysis of regeneration efficiency, complication rate, R0 resection ratio, and short-term outcomes was performed.ResultsTen studies, comprising 719 patients, were included. The overall analysis showed that ALPPS was associated with a larger hyperplastic volume and a shorter time interval (P < 0.00001) than TSH. ALPPS also exhibited a higher completion rate for second-stage operations (odds ratio, OR 9.50; P < 0.0001) and a slightly higher rate of R0 resection (OR 1.90; P = 0.11). Interestingly, there was no significant difference in 90-day mortality between the two treatments (OR 1.44; P = 0.35).ConclusionsThese results indicate that compared with TSH, ALPPS possesses a stronger regenerative ability and better facilitates second-stage operations. However, the safety, patient outcomes, and patient selection for ALPPS require further study.

Clinical research of sideburn reconstruction with expanded island scalp flap based on parietal branch of superficial temporal vessel

To explore the feasibility and effectiveness of sideburn reconstruction using the expanded island scalp flap based on the parietal branch of the superficial temporal vessel. Between February 2012 and April 2015, 7 patients underwent sideburn reconstruction. There were 3 males and 4 females with an average age of 15 years (range, 4-44 years). The etiologies included burn injury in 3 cases, trauma in 1 case, radiation therapy in 1 case, and congenital melanocytic nevus in 2 cases. The size of the sideburn defects ranged from 5.0 cm×3.5 cm to 16.0 cm×10.0 cm. At the first-stage, according to the sideburn defect, a tissue expander of the appropriate size was inserted beneath the superficial temporal fascia which containing the parietal branch of the superficial temporal vessel. Postoperatively, regular saline injection was commenced. After 3-6 months of the first-stage surgery, the expander was adequately inflated. While the second-stage surgery was performed, the lesion was excised and the tissue expander removed. The expanded island scalp flap based on the parietal branch of the superficial temporal vessel was harvested and advanced towards the defect of the sideburn according to the contralateral normal one, and the size of flap ranged from 8 cm×3 cm to 17 cm×11 cm. The donor site was closed primarily. All flaps survived and the wound and donor sites were healed primarily without any complication. All patients were followed up 1-36 months (mean, 9.8 months). The profile, hair density, and hair direction of the new sideburn were similar to the contralateral sideburn. In 1 patient, the reconstructed sideburn was a little larger than the contralateral normal one. After laser hair removal, the patient was satisfied with the appearance. The expanded island scalp flap based on the parietal branch of the superficial temporal vessel provides an effective option for the sideburn reconstruction, which presents with the similar appearance to the contralateral one.

Clinical study of palatal roll connective tissue flap applied to soft tissue increments in implant restoration in the anterior zone

Objective To evaluate the aesthetic effect of palatal roll connective tissue flap applied to soft tissue increments in implant restoration in the anterior zone. Methods Eighteen patients treated anterior implant restoration (20 implants) underwent palatal roll connective tissue flap, at the same time when the gingival healing cap was placed. Fifteen patients treated anterior implant restoration (16 implants) underwent conventional second-stage surgery as a control. We recorded the score of lip soft tissue fullness and pink esthetic score (PES) at the follow time points: before second-stage surgery; 1 month and 6 months after second-stage surgery. Results The score of lip soft tissue fullness in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the preoperative and control groups at 6-month follow-up (P<0.05). The PES in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the preoperative and control groups at 1-month and 6-month follow-up (P<0.05). Conclusions The palatal roll connective tissue flap can significantly improve the red aesthetics of the implant restoration and has good stability. Key words: Dental implantation; Palate/AH/SU; Connective tissue/SU; Surgical flaps; Tooth/SU

Surgical strategy for aortic arch reconstruction after the Norwood procedure based on numerical flow analysis.

Inefficient aortic flow after the Norwood procedure is known to lead to the deterioration of ventricular function due to an increased cardiac workload. To prevent the progression of aortic arch obstruction, arch reconstruction concomitant with second-stage surgery is recommended. The aim of this study was to determine the indications for reconstruction based on numerical simulation and to reveal the morphology that affects the haemodynamic parameters. Fifteen patients who underwent the Norwood procedure or arch repair and Damus-Kaye-Stansel anastomosis were enrolled. The pressure gradient in aortic arch was 1.6 ± 3.9 mmHg (ranged from 0 to 12 mmHg) on catheter examination. Six patients who had prominent turbulent flow accompanied with a large flow energy loss index greater than 40 mW/m2 and high wall shear stress greater than 100 Pa underwent arch reconstruction. After arch reconstruction, the energy loss index significantly decreased from 88.5 ± 50.0 mW/m2 to 23.1 ± 10.4 mW/m2 (P = 0.026) and wall shear stress significantly decreased from 194.5 ± 87.4 Pa to 60.3 ± 40.5 Pa (P = 0.0062). There were 3 late deaths due to heart failure caused by progressive atrioventricular valve regurgitation during the follow-up period (60 months). The systemic ventricular function was preserved in the remaining patients without any pressure gradients in the arch. Determining the surgical strategy for arch reconstruction based on numerical flow analysis may effectively reduce the ventricular load even if no stenosis or pressure gradients are observed on catheter examination or echocardiography.

Two-Stage Surgery Without Parenchyma Resection for Endobronchial Carcinoid Tumor

The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of a combined approach of endoscopic resection followed by pure bronchoplasty without any pulmonary resection in patients with endobronchial carcinoids. We applied a two-stage technique, endoscopic resection first followed by pure bronchoplasty, to 25 patients (10 men, 15 women) with endobronchial carcinoid tumors. The median age was 32.4 years (range, 19 to 64). The indications for this technique were pure endobronchial carcinoid without lymph node involvement. Tumor was located on the right side in 18 patients (72%), and on the left in 7 patients (28%). Flexible bronchoscopy was carried out in all patients as the first-stage procedure for debulking and searching for a true pedicle of the tumor. Different types of pure bronchoplasty were performed as the second-stage surgery with systematic mediastinal lymph node dissection. The resection was complete (R0) in all cases. Tumors were pathologically staged as pT1aN0 in 18 patients, pT2N0 in 5, and pT3N0 in 2 patients; 23 tumors were typical and only two were atypical carcinoids. Morbidity was 28.0% (only minor complications), with no mortality. Overall 5-year and 10-year survival was 100.0% and 91.8%, respectively. No recurrence of the primary tumor was observed in any case. Two-stage surgery consisting of endoscopic resection and pure bronchoplasty without lung parenchyma resection is an effective technique for the treatment of endobronchial carcinoid, with an excellent oncologic outcome.

Transthoracic Balloon Pulmonary Valvuloplasty for Treatment of Congenial Pulmonary Atresia Patients with Intact Ventricular Septum.

BackgroundTo summarize our clinical experience in performing transthoracic balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty for the treatment of patients suffering from congenial pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum (PA/IVS).Material/MethodsBetween April 2009 and April 2016, 38 patients with PA/IVS underwent transthoracic balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty in our hospital. All of them were combined with patent ductus arteriosus, tricuspid insufficiency, and atrial septal defect or patent foramen ovale. The valvuloplasty was performed from the right ventricular outflow tract through a median sternotomy incision under TEE guidance for all cases.ResultThirty-five patients were successfully discharged, and 3 patients died after the operation. The 35 surviving patients were followed up. Spo2 in the 35 patients was 88–96% after the operation. The transpulmonary valvular gradient pressure was less than or equal to 30 mmHg in 31 patients and between 36 and 52 mmHg in the other 4 patients. After the surgery, tricuspid regurgitation was significantly reduced. We found only 4 patients with moderate regurgitation, 5 patients with mild to moderate regurgitation, and mild regurgitation in the remaining 26 patients. Five patients underwent a second-stage operation, including biventricular repair in 4 patients and ligation of ductus arteriosus in 1 patient.ConclusionsThe application of transthoracic balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty for the treatment of PA/IVS is minimally invasive and safe, which has great significance for improving the curative effect for this condition and reducing operation mortality.

Maxillary sinus lift using osteoinductive simvastatin combined with β-TCP versus β-TCP – a comparative pilot study to evaluate simvastatin enhanced and accelerated bone formation

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate available bone quality and quantity after performing sinus augmentation using simvastatin/β-TCP combination versus β-TCP alone.Materials and methods: This study included eight sinus lift procedures conducted on six patients. The sinuses were divided into two equal groups. The patients were recalled one, two weeks two, five, nine months post-operatively for post-operative evaluation. Radiographic evaluation involved cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) radiographs taken for every patient one week and nine months post-operatively to evaluate the changes in bone height, while histomorphometric evaluation involved transcortical bone biopsies taken after nine months during the second-stage surgery for implant placement.Results: The histomorphometric results showed that the amount of newly formed bone was higher in the simvastatin group when compared to the β-TCP group nine months after the surgery; the difference between the two groups was statistically significant. On the other hand, the radiographic evaluation showed that the rate of resorption of the simvastatin group was found to be higher than the control group; however, the difference between both groups was statistically insignificant.Conclusion: These results showed that Simvastatin is safe to be used in sinus lift with promising osteoinductive capacity, yet further studies using larger sample size is needed.

Prevention and management of vascular complications in middle ear and cochlear implant surgery.

The objective of this study is to illustrate prevention strategies and management of vascular complications from the jugular bulb (JB) and internal carotid artery (ICA) during middle ear surgery or cochlear implantation. The study design is retrospective case series. The setting is tertiary referral university hospital. Patients were included if presented pre- or intraoperative evidence of high-risk anatomical anomalies of ICA or JB during middle ear or cochlear implant surgery, intraoperative vascular injury, or revision surgery after the previous iatrogenic vascular lesions. The main outcome measures are surgical outcomes and complications rate. Ten subjects were identified: three underwent cochlear implant surgery and seven underwent middle ear surgery. Among the cochlear implant patients, two presented with anomalies of the JB impeding access to the cochlear lumen and one underwent revision surgery for incorrect positioning of the array in the carotid canal. Subtotal petrosectomy was performed in all cases. Anomalies of the JB were preoperatively identified in two patients with attic and external auditory canal cholesteatoma, respectively. In a patient, a high and dehiscent JB was found during myringoplasty, while another underwent revision surgery after iatrogenic injury of the JB. A dehiscent ICA complicated middle ear effusion in one case, while in another case, a carotid aneurysm determined a cholesterol granuloma. Rupture of a pseudoaneurysm of the ICA occurred in a child during second-stage surgery and required permanent balloon occlusion without neurological complications. Knowledge of normal anatomy and its variants and preoperative imaging are the basis for prevention of vascular complications during middle ear or cochlear implant surgery.