Human levator veli palatini muscle: a novel source of mesenchymal stromal cells for use in the rehabilitation of patients with congenital craniofacial malformations.

Background: Bone reconstruction in congenital craniofacial differences, which affect about 2-3% of newborns, has long been the focus of intensive research in the field of bone tissue engineering. The possibility of using mesenchymal stromal cells in regenerative medicine protocols has opened a new field of investigation aimed at finding optimal sources of multipotent cells that can be isolated via non-invasive procedures. In this study, we analyzed whether levator veli palatini muscle fragments, which can be readily obtained in non-invasive manner during palatoplasty in cleft palate patients, represent a novel source of MSCs with osteogenic potential.

Deciduous Dental Pulp Stem Cells for Maxillary Alveolar Reconstruction in Cleft Lip and Palate Patients.

Background: To reduce morbidity to cleft patients, new approaches have been developed and here, we report for the first time the use of deciduous dental pulp stem cells (DDPSC) associated with a hydroxyapatite-collagen sponge (Bio-Oss Collagen® 250 mg, Geistlich) for closing alveolar defects during secondary dental eruption, further comparing these results to historical controls.

Methods: Six patients, aged 8 to 12, were selected. Autologous DDPSC were isolated from each patient, then associated with the biomaterial and this bone tissue engineered set was used to fill the alveolar defect.

Facial and Nasolabial Aesthetics of Complete UCLP Submitted to 2-Stage Palate Repair With Vomer Flap.

Objective: To evaluate the aesthetics of nasolabial appearance and facial profile of children with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) submitted to 2-stage palate repair with vomerine flap.

Design: Retrospective.

Setting: Single center.

Comparative study and histomorphometric analysis of bone allografts lyophilized and sterilized by autoclaving, gamma irradiation and ethylene oxide in rats.

Purpose: To compare three sterilization methods (autoclave, gamma irradiation and ethylene oxide) over non demineralized lyophilized bone allografts.

Methods: Bone allografts were implanted on paravertebral muscles of 21 rats. After 30 days animals were sacrificed and grafts underwent comparative analysis regarding histomorphometric and macroscopic parameters.

Human bone morphogenetic protein-2 use for maxillary reconstruction in cleft lip and palate patients.

Background: The conventional methods of maxillary alveolar reconstruction in patient with cleft are the periosteoplasty and autologous bone grafting. As an important alternative of bone substitution, there is the recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2). This study compares the rhBMP-2 with periosteoplasty and autologous bone grafting.

Evaluation of primary cleft nose repair: severity of the cleft versus final position of the nose.

Background: Since 1957, when the concept of rotation-advancement repair was introduced by Millard, this technique has become the procedure of choice for unilateral cleft lip worldwide. More recently, modifications described by Noordhoof, Mohler, Skoog, and McComb started being jointly performed so that better results could be obtained. In this study, the nasal position was evaluated and related to the size of the cleft.

Evaluation of maxillary alveolar reconstruction using a resorbable collagen sponge with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 in cleft lip and palate patients.

Introduction: A resorbable collagen matrix with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein (rhBMP-2) was compared with traditional iliac crest bone graft for the closure of alveolar defects during secondary dental eruption.

Methods: Sixteen patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate, aged 8 to 12 years, were selected and randomly assigned to group 1 (rhBMP-2) or group 2 (iliac crest bone graft). Computed tomography was performed to assess both groups preoperatively and at months 6 and 12 postoperatively.