Functional reconstruction of lip defects.

The lip is a crucial structure in the oral and maxillofacial region, serving vital physiological functions such as speech, swallowing, chewing, and expression. Due to the complexity of lip anatomy, function, and the various types of defects, the functional restoration and reconstruction of lip defects remain complex and challenging tasks. In this article, we summarize several methods for functional restoration and reconstruction of lip defects using local flaps that carry the depressor anguli oris muscle, as well as some free flaps.

Radial and Ulnar Forearm Free Flaps: A Critical Comparison of Donor-Site Morbidity and Its Impact on Quality of Life.

Background: A poor evidence basis exists regarding directly comparing objective and subjective donor-site morbidity associated with the forearm flap. The authors evaluated the postoperative donor-site complications and quality-of-life outcomes between the radial forearm free flap (RFFF) and the ulnar forearm free flap (UFFF).

Methods: All patients undergoing RFFF or UFFF harvest were included.

Functional and biomechanical assessment of the hand following ulnar forearm free flap transfer: Prospective self-controlled study.

Background: There is a shortage of well-designed self-controlled studies evaluating hand biomechanics following ulnar forearm flap (UFF) harvest. This study was conducted to evaluate objective and subjective functional outcomes of the donor's hand following UFF harvest.

Methods: All patients undergoing UFF were included for analysis.

Digital navigation and 3D model technology in mandibular reconstruction with fibular free flap: A comparative study.

Objective: The low accuracy limits the use of fibular free flap (FFF). We apply digital navigation and 3D printing model technology in mandibular reconstruction to improve FFF's accuracy.

Methods: 34 patients who underwent with FFF to repair mandibular defects were divided into Navigation Group (13 cases, using digital navigation and 3D printing model) and Control Group (21 cases, only 3D printing model).

Composition and function of oral microbiota between gingival squamous cell carcinoma and periodontitis.

Objectives: Previous studies have proved that periodontitis is an independent risk factor of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) epidemiologically. Along with the important role of microbiota in the cancer process and the specific anatomical position, our study explored the microbial composition and functions in periodontitis and gingival squamous cell carcinoma (GSCC).

Materials And Methods: GSCC patients (n = 10), matched periodontitis patients (n = 15), and healthy individuals (n = 15) were recruited.

Assessment of fibula flap with flexor hallucis longus's effect on head & neck tumor patients' quality of life and function of donor site.

Objective: Free fibular flaps (FFFs) have been widely used in mandibular reconstruction. It is still unclear whether retaining flexor hallucis longus (FHL) is needed for flaps. This study introduces a comparison in quality of life and donor-site function between those who have and haven't harvested FHL with FFF.

MicroRNA-532-3p Suppresses Malignant Behaviors of Tongue Squamous Cell Carcinoma Regulating CCR7.

To provide better therapeutic avenues for treating tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC), a series of experiments about the effects of microRNA (miR)-532-3p on TSCC malignant behaviors were carried out. The result showed that miR-532-3p was down-regulated and C-C chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7) was up-regulated in the tumor tissues compared with those in the paired paratumor tissues. Further, expression of miR-532-3p was detected in four TSCC cell lines, TSCCA, TCA8113, CAL-27, and SCC-25.

Reconstruction of a subtotal upper lip defect with a facial artery musculomucosal flap, kite flap, and radial forearm free flap: a case report.

Background: For reconstructive surgeons, massive midface defects, including large, full-thickness wounds on the upper lip, can be very challenging. Although there are many methods for reconstruction of upper lip defects, it is difficult to obtain satisfactory restoration of oral functions and good cosmetic results.

Case Presentation: This case report presents a man with massive midface defects, including upper lip, left nose, and cheek defects.

The application of fibular free flap with flexor hallucis longus in maxilla or mandible extensive defect: a comparison study with conventional flap.

Background: The repair and reconstruction of maxillary and mandibular extensive defects have put huge challenges to surgeons. The fibular free flap (FFF) is one of the standard treatment choices for reconstruction. The conventional FFF has deficiencies, such as forming poor oral mucosa, limited flap tissue, and perforator vessel variation.

Comprehensive assessment of the donor-site of the anterolateral thigh flap: A prospective study in 33 patients.

Background: The anterolateral thigh (ALT) free flap has been an extremely versatile flap. The purpose of this study was to propose comprehensive functional assessments of the donor site.

Methods: A total of 33 ALT flaps were enrolled prospectively.

Clinical study of tuberculosis in the head and neck region-11 years' experience and a review of the literature.

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease and major health concern. Head and neck tuberculosis (HNTB) is relatively rare, but can arise in many regions, including the lymph nodes, larynx, oral cavity and pharynx. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of 60 patients diagnosed with HNTB in our department between March 2005 and January 2016.

Cervical level IIb metastases in squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to clarify whether level IIb dissection should be performed or avoided in the treatment of oral squamous cell carcinoma by meta-analysis.

Materials And Methods: Articles that were published before June 2017 were searched electronically in four databases (Web of Science, PubMed, Ovid and China National Knowledge Infrastructure) without any date or language restrictions by two independent reviewers. Abstracts and full-text papers which investigated the cervical metastases to level IIb from primary head and neck cancers and were deemed potentially relevant were screened.

Association between polymorphisms in pre-miRNA genes and risk of oral squamous cell cancer in a Chinese population.

Background: MicroRNAs play important roles in the development of human cancers. This case-control study is to evaluate the roles of the polymorphisms in pre-miRNAs on risk of oral cancer in a Chinese population.

Methods: The genotypes of three polymorphisms were determined in 340 patients with oral squamous cell cancer and 340 healthy controls who were frequency matched for age and sex.

A comparison of mandible preservation method and mandibulotomy approach in oral and oropharyngeal cancer: A meta-analysis.

Objective: This study aims to compare the prognoses outcomes of mandibular preservation method (MPM) and the mandibulotomy approach (MLA) in oral and oropharyngeal cancer (OOPC) patients.

Method: We searched PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, Chinese BioMedical Literature Database (CBM), Cochrane Library, and clinicaltrials.gov up to September 2016 to identify the studies that compared the prognoses of the MPM versus the MLA in OOPC patients.

A critical assessment of the fibula flap donor site.

Background: The free fibula flap has become popular for mandibular reconstruction. The purpose of this study was to propose comprehensive functional assessments of the donor site.

Methods: Thirty free fibula flaps for mandible reconstruction were prospectively enrolled in the study.

Frizzled2 mediates the migration and invasion of human oral squamous cell carcinoma cells through the regulation of the signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 signaling pathway.

Frizzled2 (Fzd2) is a receptor for wingless-type MMTV integration site family members (Wnts), the aberrant overexpression of which has been noted to contribute to cancer metastasis. The present study was performed to characterize the role of Fzd2 in the migration and invasion of oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC) in vitro. Using TSCCa cells (a tongue SCC cell line) for loss- or gain-of-function of Fzd2, we found that a forced overexpression of Fzd2 promoted TSCCa cell migration and invasion, decreased the expression of epithelial‑cadherin (E-cadherin, an epithelial marker) and increased that of vimentin, Snail Slug, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs)-2/-9/-13 and a-disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs-5 (ADAMTS5).

The association between miR-499 polymorphism and cancer susceptibility: a meta-analysis.

Background: MicroRNAs are a class of new noncoding RNA that play important roles in the pathogenesis of tumor. Rs3746444 in miR-499 is suggested to be associated with cancer susceptibility. In the present study, we assess the association between miR-499 rs3746444 polymorphism and cancer susceptibility through a meta-analysis.

Reconstruction of Complex Total Parotidectomy Defect With a Chimeric Anterolateral Thigh Perforator Flap and Vascularized Motor Branch of Femoral Nerve Grafting.

Reconstruction of complex total parotidectomy defects after ablation is always a challenge for surgeons. The surgical technique in reconstructing total parotidectomy defects using an anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap has not been described in detail. This report describes the treatment of a difficult case with a complex total parotidectomy defect.

Single Superficial versus Dual Systems Venous Anastomoses in Radial Forearm Free Flap: A Meta-Analysis.

Background: The radial forearm free flap (RFFF) has been widely used with increasing frequency in head and neck reconstruction following extirpative surgery. The controversy of the venous anastomoses patterns still exists. Thus, we conducted a meta-analysis to assess the relationship between the venous anastomoses patterns and venous compromise.

Transverse cervical vessels as recipient vessels in oral and maxillofacial microsurgical reconstruction after former operations with or without radiotherapy.

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the reliability and outcome of using the transverse cervical vessel (TCV) as a recipient vessel for microvascular reconstruction in patients whose vessels in the neck region are unavailable because of previous surgery or radiotherapy.

Methods: Between January 2012 and August 2014, secondary head and neck reconstruction was performed using the TCV as a recipient vessel in eight patients who had undergone previous neck dissection and radiation therapy (n = 5). Five patients had a recurrent carcinoma, one had undergone an operation for scar release and two had been treated surgically for a second primary cancer.

Total and near-total lower lip reconstruction: 20 years experience.

Background: Reconstruction of total and near-total lower lip defects presents a formidable challenge for the reconstructive plastic surgeon. Many methods have been described, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. The aim of this article is to discuss the selection of techniques and report our experience of total or near-total lower lip reconstruction.

Lack of influence of an XRCC3 gene polymorphism on oral cancer susceptibility: meta-analysis.

Background: To systematically summarize the association between the X-ray repair cross complementing 3 (XRCC3) gene polymorphism and oral cancer susceptibility by meta-analysis.

Materials And Methods: Databases including PubMed, EMbase, CNKI, VIP and WanFang Data were searched to identify case-control studies concerning the association between an XRCC3 gene polymorphism and the risk of oral cancer from the inception to June 2014. Two reviewers independently screened the literature according to the criteria, extracted the data and assessed the quality.

Chemokine receptor 7 promotes tumor migration and invasiveness via the RhoA/ROCK pathway in metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

Metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) has been shown to express chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7), which can activate signaling pathways to promote invasion and survival of SCCHN cells. We hypothesized that the RhoA/Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) pathway is involved in the CCR7-induced invasion and migration of metastatic SCCHN cells. Thus, using migration, matrigel invasion and scrape wound-healing assays, we elucidated the role of RhoA in mediating CCR7-associated cellular mobility.

Association between polymorphism of TGFA Taq I and cleft lip and/or palate: a meta-analysis.

Background: Cleft lip and palate (CL/P) is one of the most common malformations in humans. Transforming growth factor alpha (TGFA) is a well characterized mammalian growth factor which might contribute to the development of CL/P. This meta-analysis aimed to summarize the association between the TGFA Taq I polymorphisms and CL/P.

C392T polymorphism of the Wnt10a gene in non-syndromic oral cleft in a northeastern Chinese population.

Non-syndromic oral cleft is one of the most common congenital malformations, and more than 40 genes may be involved in its aetiology. Recent studies have shown that the Wnt10a gene may also contribute. We recruited 198 patients with non-syndromic oral clefts, comprising 96 elementary families (restricted to the patients and their parents) and 187 controls, to investigate their associations with the risk of such clefts and their subgroups in a Chinese Han population.