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To obtain a current overview of the use of mandibular advancement splints (MAS) as a therapeutic option for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in the dental profession in Northern Germany. A questionnaire was mailed to 2431 dental professionals, and 8.3% responded. Descriptive data analysis was performed on each question separately. Most of the surveyed dentists (51.7%) estimated the success rate of MAS therapy to be higher than 75%. Analysis of the relationship between the number of splints prescribed annually and the dental specialization (p = 0.22), work experience (p = 0.14), estimated success rate of MAS therapy (p = 0.96), and discontinuation of MAS therapy (p = 0.57) revealed no significant correlations. Mandibular advancement splints seem to be a safe and successful therapy for OSA. There seems to be a lack of information on the patient side and a lack of education on the dentist side. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the current study was to test the technical and clinical feasibility of a robotic system and investigate its potential in the surgical repair of perforated Schneiderian membranes using an ex-vivo porcine model. Eight pig heads were operated conventionally via a surgical loop and eight pig heads with the surgical robot "Symani® Surgical System" (Medical Microinstruments, Inc., Pisa, Italy). On each specimen, the Schneiderian membrane was incised over a length of 0.7 mm resembling a perforation. Operation time, the maximum sinusoidal pressure, the course of the pressure and the filling volume were measured. Additionally, adaptation of the wound edges has been detected via scanning electron microscopy. There were no significant differences for the pressure maximum (p = 0.528), for the time until the pressure maximum was reached (p = 0.528), or for the maximum filling volume (p = 0.674). The time needed for the suturing of the membrane via robotic surgery was significantly longer (p < 0.001). However, the scanning electron microscope revealed a better adaptation of the wound edges with robotic surgery. The technical feasibility of robot-assisted suturing of Schneiderian membrane laceration using the robotic system has been confirmed for the first time. No differences considering the pressure resistance compared to the conventional repair could be observed, but advantages in wound adaptation could be found with an electron microscope. Regarding the material and training costs and limited indications spectrum, robotic surgery systems still might not present financially feasible options in the daily dental practice yet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Risk stratification based on standardized quality measures has become crucial in neurosurgery. Contemporary quality indicators have often been developed for a wide range of neurosurgical procedures collectively. The accuracy of tumor-inherent characteristics of patients diagnosed with meningioma remains questionable. The objective of this study was the analysis of currently applied quality indicators in meningioma surgery and the identification of potential new measures. Methods Data of 133 patients who were operated on due to intracranial meningiomas were subjected to a retrospective analysis. The primary outcomes of interest were classical quality indicators such as the 30-day readmission, 30-day reoperation, 30-day mortality, 30-day nosocomial infection, and the 30-day surgical site infection rate. Uni- and multivariate analyses were performed. The occurrence of a new postoperative neurologic deficit was analyzed as a potential new quality indicator. Results The overall unplanned readmission rate was 3.8%; 13 patients were reoperated within 30 days (9.8%). The 30-day nosocomial infection and surgical site infection rates were 6.8 and 1.5%, respectively. A postoperative new neurologic deficit or neurologic deterioration as a currently assessed quality feature was observed in 12 patients (9.2%). The edema volume on preoperative scans proved to have a significant impact on the occurrence of a new postoperative neurologic deficit (p = 0.023). Conclusions Classical quality indicators in neurosurgery have proved to correlate with considerable deterioration of the patient's health in meningioma surgery and thus should be taken into consideration for application in meningioma patients. The occurrence of a new postoperative neurologic deficit is common and procedure specific. Thus, this should be elucidated for application as a complementary quality indicator in meningioma surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Straumann BLX is a novel implant system that has been proclaimed to provide an ideal primary stability in all types of bone. In the current study, the primary stability of the Straumann BLX implant systems with Straumann tapered effect (TE) implants have been comparatively assessed in bovine ribs by using a simultaneous sinus elevation and implant insertion model. In the study group, BLX (4.0 × 12 mm), TE (4.1 × 12 mm), BLX (4.5 × 12 mm), and TE (4.8 × 12 mm) were placed in each bony window, which resembles the sinus maxillaris. As a control, BLX and TE implants with the same sizes were inserted into the proximal diaphysis of the bovine ribs. A total of 40 implant insertions were performed. Stability was measured with resonance frequency analysis. In the study group, 4.8-mm TE implants showed significantly higher values compared with 4.5-mm BLX implants (P =.116). However, 4.0-mm BLX implants in the control group showed higher stability compared with 4.0-mm-diameter TE (P =.014). The primary stability of the BLX implants in the control group was significantly higher compared with the experimental group in both widths (P=.018 for BLX 4.0 mm and P =.002 for BLX 4.5 mm, respectively). The use of the TE design with a wide diameter in simultaneous implant placement with sinus lift could present higher implant stability quotient values and might be a more appropriate option for implant recipient sites with poor bone volume and quality. However, the advantage of BLX design in standard implant insertion protocols could be of value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To obtain a current overview of the use of mandibular advancement splints (MAS) as a therapeutic option for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in the dental profession in Northern Germany., Methods: A questionnaire was mailed to 2431 dental professionals, and 8.3% responded. Descriptive data analysis was performed on each question separately., Results: Most of the surveyed dentists (51.7%) estimated the success rate of MAS therapy to be higher than 75%. Analysis of the relationship between the number of splints prescribed annually and the dental specialization ( p = 0.22), work experience ( p = 0.14), estimated success rate of MAS therapy ( p = 0.96), and discontinuation of MAS therapy ( p = 0.57) revealed no significant correlations., Conclusion: Mandibular advancement splints seem to be a safe and successful therapy for OSA. There seems to be a lack of information on the patient side and a lack of education on the dentist side.