New and innovative biomaterials, techniques and therapy concepts: Biologization in maxillofacial surgery, oral surgery and dentistry is in full swing. PRF, PRGF, PRP, blood plasma-stabilized augmentations, supplementation of micronutrients and vitamins - what opportunities do such "biological" approaches actually offer? We introduce them here.

Biomaterials of natural origin have recently gained increasing attention in the field of dental implantology. The requirements for such materials, however, are very high. In addition to high clinical efficiency in tissue regeneration, wound healing should be demonstrably positively influenced.

Regenerative treatment of peri-implantitis bone defects with a combination of autologous bone and a demineralized xenogenic bone graft: a series of 36 defects.

Aim: As the treatment of peri-implantitis-induced bone loss is still a problem, we studied the regenerative treatment of these defects with a mix of autologous bone and a new type of bone graft substitute (demineralized xenogenic bone graft) including growth factors.

Material And Methods: In a prospective manner, 36 cases of peri-implantitis-induced bone loss (depth >4 mm) in 22 patients were followed for 1 year. After resolving the acute infection by local rinsing, granulation tissue was removed.

Nasal shape and gender of the observer: implications for rhinoplasty.

Background: In a previous study we focused on gender specific nasal shapes. The aim of this study was to evaluate if preferences in nasal shape are also dependent on the gender of the observer.

Methods: Stratified on the basis of each photographed subject's (n=311) own evaluation, female and male composite pictures of "average" (n=128, each), "optimal" (n=16, each) and "most unpleasant" (n=8, each) noses were created in a previous study.

Gender and nasal shape: measures for rhinoplasty.

Background: Gender-specific nasal shapes are recommended for rhinoplasty. This study was conducted to clarify whether there truly are gender-related differences and to determine optimal nasal shapes in a Caucasian population.

Methods: The authors created female and male composite photographs of "average" (n = 128 each), "optimal" (n = 16 each), and "most unpleasant" (n = 8 each) noses stratified on the basis of each photographed subject's (n = 311) own evaluation of the attractiveness of her or his nose, using a visual analogue scale.

Facial attractiveness: visual impact of symmetry increases significantly towards the midline.

Symmetry is thought to be a major prerequisite for an attractive face. Many faces are not symmetric, yet are still regarded as beautiful. What role, then, does asymmetry play in the perception of beauty? We studied the assessment of computer-manipulated images by independent judges (n = 200-250): part A: nevi located at different positions; part B: standardized changes of the orbital region.

Long-term recurrence rate of pleomorphic adenoma and postoperative facial nerve paresis (in parotid surgery).

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate recurrence rates and comorbidity in patients with pleomorphic adenomas of patients after superficial and total conservative parotidectomy.

Patients And Methods: Localization of pleomorphic adenomas, age, sex distribution and facial nerve function of 73 patients were examined in this retrospective study. The recurrence rate could be determined in 43 of these patients.

[Facial aesthetics part I - the significance of the triangle of yarbus].

When humans observe a face, the eyes, mouth and nose regions are the preferred targets of the centre of gaze, with the outlines of eye position recordings approximating a triangle with vertices located in the centre of the eyes and mouth [31]. We studied the significance of cutaneous asymmetries inside and outside the Yarbus triangle on the basis of the assessment of digitally-manipulated images by 201 independent judges. We show that certain facial variations (such as naevi) are more attractive when asymmetrical than symmetrical (p<0,001).

[Facial aesthetics Part II - effect of symmetric and asymmetric modulations of the orbital region].

The aim of the present study was to assess the impact of standardised computer-manipulated changes to images of the orbital region. Judges (n=250) ranked each image for attractiveness on a visual-analogue-scale. The images were thereby classified into different clusters according to their ratings of attractiveness.

A prospective study of kitesurfing injuries.

Background: To date, the pattern and rate of kitesurfing injuries are largely unclear.

Hypothesis: The pattern and rate of kitesurfing injuries are comparable to that of contact sports such as football and soccer.

Study Design: Prospective study.

Significance of the expression of the growth factor pleiotrophin in pancreatic cancer patients.

Purpose: Recently, we found that pleiotrophin (PTN) acts as a rate-limiting autocrine growth factor in pancreatic cancer cells. The aim of this study was to determine the expression pattern of PTN in pancreatic cancer and to analyze the clinical significance of PTN in pancreatic cancer patients.

Experimental Design: We compared PTN expression in malignant (n = 24), inflammatory (n = 13), and normal (n = 14) pancreatic tissues using immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization and determined PTN serum levels in pancreatic cancer patients (n = 77), in patients suffering from chronic pancreatitis (n = 21), and in healthy volunteers (n = 28).