Analyzing the Fitting of Novel Preformed Osteosynthesis Plates for the Reduction and Fixation of Mandibular Fractures.

Purpose: The known preformed osteosynthesis plates for the midface are helpful tools for a precise and fast fixation of repositioned fractures. The purpose of the current study is to analyze the precision of newly developed prototypes of preformed osteosynthesis plates for the mandible.

Methods: Four newly designed preformed osteosynthesis plates, generated by a statistical shape model based on 115 CT scans, were virtually analyzed.

Vascularization and biocompatibility of poly(ε-caprolactone) fiber mats for rotator cuff tear repair.

Rotator cuff tear is the most frequent tendon injury in the adult population. Despite current improvements in surgical techniques and the development of grafts, failure rates following tendon reconstruction remain high. New therapies, which aim to restore the topology and functionality of the interface between muscle, tendon and bone, are essentially required.

In vivo analysis of vascularization and biocompatibility of electrospun polycaprolactone fibre mats in the rat femur chamber.

In orthopaedic medicine, connective tissues are often affected by traumatic or degenerative injuries, and surgical intervention is required. Rotator cuff tears are a common cause of shoulder pain and disability among adults. The development of graft materials for bridging the gap between tendon and bone after chronic rotator cuff tears is essentially required.

Virtual reconstruction of bilateral midfacial defects by using statistical shape modeling.

Purpose: Mirroring and manual adaptation as the main virtual reconstruction method of midfacial defects is time demanding and ignores asymmetrical skull shapes. By using a statistical shape model (SSM), the reconstruction can be automatized and specified. The current study aims to show the ability of the SSM in the virtual reconstruction of artificial bilateral defects.

Microvascular transplants in head and neck reconstruction: 3D evaluation of volume loss.

Background: Despite oversized latissimus dorsi free flap reconstruction in the head and neck area, esthetic and functional problems continue to exist due to the well-known occurrence of transplant shrinkage. The purpose of this study was to acquire an estimation of the volume and time of the shrinkage process.

Materials And Methods: The assessment of volume loss was performed using a 3D evaluation of two postoperative CT scans.

Increasing the accuracy of orbital reconstruction with selective laser-melted patient-specific implants combined with intraoperative navigation.

Purpose: Advances in technology have allowed increasing degrees of accuracy in the treatment of orbital deformities. The purpose of this study was to compare the accuracy of pre-bent titanium mesh (PBTM) and selective laser-melted patient-specific implants (PSIs) in unilateral orbital reconstruction after traumatic injury. The authors hypothesized that selective laser-melted PSIs would more accurately reconstruct the orbit.

The validity of surgical clips as radiographic markers for the tumour resection cavity in head and neck cancer treatment.

Background: A prerequisite of irradiation after advanced head and neck tumour resection is the accurate localization of the tumour resection margin. The purpose of the following study is to evaluate the use of surgical clips placed in the tumour resection margins for use as radiographic markers to facilitate focussed adjuvant radiation therapy.

Materials: To evaluate whether the clips remain predictive for the resection margin, we analysed the deviation of each clip in two postoperative CT scans on different days.

Marking of tumor resection borders for improved radiation planning facilitates reduction of radiation dose to free flap reconstruction in head and neck cancer surgery.

Accurate localization of tumor resection borders is crucial for adjuvant radiotherapy. An improvement to adjuvant radiotherapy with the reduction of radiation doses to free flap reconstruction by virtual navigation procedures and titanium clips was evaluated. Thirty-three patients with oral cancer were prospectively included in the study.