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OBJECTIVE: Increasing effort has been put in the implementation and certification of head and neck tumor centers in order to establish standardized, quality assured health care for head and neck tumor patients. This study evaluated survival rates after treatment in a certified head and neck tumor center (CHNTC) vs. a non-certified head and neck tumor center (non- CHNTC) in Middle Franconia, Germany. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Age, sex, possible obituary, and typical relevant prognostic variables were analyzed. Diagnosis was recorded according to ICD10. Clinical and pathological TNM staging, tumor grading, localization, R-stage, and morphology were assessed (ICD- 0). Patients diagnosed with oral cancer (N=1047) were divided into groups based on where they received their primary treatment; CHNTCs or non-CHNTCs. RESULTS: Patients treated at CHNTCs had significantly higher survival rates vs. those treated at non-CHNTC (p=0.023) in univariate analysis. In a Cox regression model, survival rates for patients with pN0 and pN+ stage were similar at both types of centers. Men with pN0 had significantly lower survival rates (HR=0.497, p<0.001). Age had a statistically significant influence on survival rates independently from pN stage (HR=1.031 per year, p<0.001 in both groups). CONCLUSIONS: Patients treated at CHNTC had better survival rates than those treated at non-CHNTC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Retrospective clinical evaluation and biomechanical tests were performed to compare the primary stability and the rate of pseudarthrosis formation after irradiation for two types of mandibular split osteotomies: the stairstep osteotomy (SSO) and the straight-line osteotomy (SLO). Methods The postoperative occurrence of pseudarthrosis was retrospectively analysed in 46 non-consecutive clinical cases of SSO and SLO between 2003 and 2013. Biomechanical tests were performed on 12 standardised synthetic mandibles (Synbone) to compare the SSO and SLO approaches. Two 2.0 mm monocortical miniplates (Medartis) were used for osteosynthesis. The artificial mandible specimens were loaded to 300 N on the Mandibulator test bench while interfragmentary motion was measured using the PONTOS optical measurement device. Results The retrospective clinical analysis showed a rate of pseudarthrosis of 19% in the SLO group versus only 5% in the SSO group ( p = 0.17). In the biomechanical investigation, the average interfragmentary movement was 14.3 ± 7.70 for the SLO group and 4.57 ± 2.33 for the SSO group under a maximum load of 300 N, resulting in a statistically significant difference between the two approaches ( p = 0.014). Conclusion To minimise the rate of postoperative pseudarthrosis formation, SSO is superior to SLO for mandibular split procedures, because SSO provides greater resistance to vertical loads and allows less interfragmentary movement. Level of evidence 2C (Outcomes research). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We did biomechanical loading tests to compare the quantity and quality of interfragmentary movement in fractured human cadaver mandibles that had been reconstructed with iliac crest using 3 different osteosynthesis systems. Eighteen mandibles from human cadavers with a 4.5cm paramedian L-type defect were reconstructed with bone from the iliac crest using 3 different osteosynthesis systems and continuously loaded on the “Mandibulator” test bench. Six mandibles each had the bones joined together using 2 monocortical non-locking plates, 2 monocortical locking plates, or a single bicortical locking plate/fracture gap. Macroscopic deformation, failure mechanisms, and movement of the fracture gap in all 3 dimensions were assessed and quantified over increasing loading by PONTOS® optical measurement systems. Final mechanisms of failure were excessive deformation of the plate, fracture of the mandibular fragments, and failure of the iliac crest graft. The plate became deformed mainly in the miniplate group. The iliac crest graft failed in all the specimens in which osteosynthesis was performed by a 6-hole TriLock® plate. Interfragmentary movement was minimised in the miniplate group. All three osteosynthesis systems provided sufficient stability for reconstruction when mechanically loaded up to 100N. The miniplate allowed less movement in the gap and gave better stability than the two TriLock® plate systems. The superiority of the miniplate was significant when compared with the 4-hole TriLock® plate. The transplant failed mainly in the 6-hole TriLock® group, which suggests that the iliac crest graft works better with the miniplate as a more malleable osteosynthesis system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The development of perforator-based flaps led to new donor sites and enlarged the spectrum of recipient vessels using arteries and veins of very small calibres. Although these flaps, which are directly anastomosed at their terminal cutaneous branches, are becoming more and more important for reconstructions in other regions of the body, perforator-based flaps have not played an important role in maxillofacial surgery until now. This study reports the experience with 24 consecutive perforator flaps from the lateral lower limb for intra- and extraoral defect coverage. Septo- or myoseptocutaneous perforators from the peroneal artery served as the flap pedicle having a length of 4–7cm and diameters of 1–2mm. Indications were reconstructions of the floor of the mouth (10), soft palate (3), tongue (6), closure of perforating cheek defects (2) and reconstruction of the facial skin (3). Anastomoses were performed to the lingual, facial, temporal or thyroid superior artery. Except for 2 cases, all perforator-based flaps were healed well and the morbidity of the donor site was nearly negligible. According to the early experience in this study, perforator-based flaps from the lateral lower limb may have an indication if recipient vessels available are close to the defect and if very low donor site morbidity is important to the patient. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]