Christian Schopper

Application of platelet-rich plasma for enhanced bone regeneration in grafted sinus.

PURPOSE The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on new bone formation and remodeling after grafting of the maxillary sinus with an algae-derived hydroxyapatite AlgOss/C Graft/Algipore. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fourteen consecutive patients with severely atrophic maxillae underwent uni- or bilateral grafting of the maxillary sinus with a mixture of collected bone, algae-derived hydroxyapatite AlgOss/C Graft/Algipore (ratio 1:10), and a combined addition of PRP and thrombin (Tissucol Kit; Baxter, Vienna, Austria) to allow for fast clotting. After an average healing period of 7.1 months bone samples were retrieved. Patients from a former consecutive series treated without PRP served as control group. Statistical analysis was done by Welch 2-sample t test and mixed linear model testing. RESULTS In the coronal specimen portions, mean values for newly formed bone area, biomaterial area and marrow space of 32.2% ± 10.4%, 20.1% ± 13.0%, and 47.7% ± 8.5% were found with PRP, respectively. In the control group the corresponding values were 27.6% ± 13.4%, 20.3% ± 12.9%, and 52.1% ± 9.3%. In the apical specimen portions in the PRP group, the newly formed bone area, biomaterial area, and marrow space was 25.7% ± 15.0%, 23.4% ± 14.9%, and 50.9% ± 12.5%, respectively. The corresponding values in the control group were 17.0% ± 8.6%, 34.5% ± 11.2%, and 48.5% ± 8.5%. CONCLUSIONS Statistical evaluation of the samples proved significantly better overall resorption of algae-derived hydroxyapatite AlgOss/C Graft/Algipore and increased new bone formation when PRP was used, especially in the apical region.

Survival of patients with HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer after radiochemotherapy is significantly enhanced

ZusammenfassungHINTERGRUND: Der Zweck dieser retrospektiven Studie war, die Inzidenz und klinische Signifikanz von Infektionen mit HPV (Humanes Papillomavirus) in Patienten mit Kopf-Hals-Tumoren, die eine Strahlentherapie erhalten hatten, zu evaluieren. PATIENTEN AND METHODEN: Bei 88 Patienten mit Karzinomen des Kopf-Hals-Bereiches wurde eine Untersuchung zur Identifizierung von high-risk HPV mittels Immunhistochemie, PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) und in-situ Hybridisierung durchgeführt. 26 Patienten hatten ein Karzinom der Mundhöhle, 45 des Oropharynx, sieben ein Larynx- und 10 ein Hypopharnyxkarzinom. 29 der 45 Patienten mit einem Plattenepithelkarzinom des Oropharynx erhielten entweder eine alleinige Strahlentherapie oder eine Kombination mit Cisplatin oder Cetuximab. ERGEBNISSE: Von den 29 untersuchten Patienten, die zur Therapie ihres Oropharynxkarzinoms eine konservative Therapie erhielten, hatten 11 Patienten einen HPV positiven und 18 einen HPV negativen Tumor. Den Patienten wurde eine Strahlentherapie ± Cisplatin oder Cetuximab verabreicht, wobei die Patienten mit einem HPV positiven Tumor ein signifikant besseres Ansprechen auf die Therapie zeigten (p = 0.015). Auch das krankheits-spezifische Überleben war deutlich besser in HPV positiven Patienten (p = 0.001). SCHLUSSFOLGERUNG: Patienten mit einem Oropharynxkarzinom und einem positiven HPV Status sprechen deutlich besser auf eine Radiochemotherapie an als Patienten mit einem HPV negativen Tumor. Das HPV Screening ist eine sehr einfache Prozedur und kann einfach routinemässig in die Standard Operational Procedures inkludiert werden.SummaryBACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence and clinical significance of HPV (Human papilloma virus) infection in patients with head and neck cancer who had received radiotherapy in Eastern Austria. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 88 patients with head and neck cancer including 26 patients with oral cavity cancer, 45 patients with oropharyngeal cancer, seven patients with laryngeal carcinoma and ten patients with carcinoma of the hypopharynx were screened for high risk HPV by immunohistochemistry, PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) and in-situ hybridization. 29 out of 45 patients with a squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx received radiotherapy alone, radiotherapy in combination with cisplatin or cetuximab. RESULTS: Of the investigated 29 patients with oropharyngeal cancer receiving conservative treatment, 11 had a HPV-positive and 18 a HPV-negative tumor. Patients received radiation ± cisplatin or cetuximab, where the HPV-positive patients had a significant better response to treatment and overall survival (p = 0.015) as well as disease-free survival (p = 0.001) after therapy. CONCLUSION: Patients with oropharyngeal carcinoma and a positive HPV status respond considerably better to radiochemotherapy than patients with HPV-negative tumors. HPV screening is a simple procedure and can easily be implemented in routine pathology investigations and should be included in standard operational procedures for the diagnosis and therapy of head and neck cancer patients.

Multimodal treatment of patients with minor salivary gland cancer in the case of recurrent disease

Our aim in this study was to identify prognostic factors and the optimal therapeutic management in patients with minor salivary gland carcinomas.

Identifying Risk Factors for Allogenic Blood Transfusion in Oral and Oropharyngeal Cancer Surgery With Free Flap Reconstruction

PURPOSE Several observational studies in head and neck cancer have reported that allogenic blood transfusion is associated with increased postoperative complications, increased risk of tumor recurrence, and worse prognosis. The aim of this study was to identify preoperative and intraoperative factors predicting blood transfusion in patients undergoing surgery for oral and oropharyngeal cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing tumor resection and free flap reconstruction for locally advanced oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma between 2000 and 2008. The primary outcome variable was perioperative exposure to allogenic blood transfusion. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to determine predictors of blood transfusion. RESULTS A cohort of 142 participants was found eligible. In a multivariate model, Charlson score ≥ 1 (OR, 5.2; 95% CI, 1.4 to 19.3; P = .01), preoperative hemoglobin levels ≤ 12 g/dl (OR, 4.4; 95% CI, 1.2 to 16.2; P = .03), bone resection (OR, 5.1; 95% CI, 1.5 to 17.8; P = .01), and osseous free tissue transfer (OR, 8.8; 95% CI, 1.0 to 74.8; P = .046) were independently associated with an increased risk of blood transfusion. CONCLUSION Our study identified patient- and surgery-related factors predicting a higher risk of exposure to allogenic blood transfusion. This readily available preoperative information could be used to better stratify patients according to their transfusion risk and may thereby guide blood conservation strategies in high-risk patients.

Tricalcium phosphate-based biocomposites for mandibular bone regeneration--A histological study in sheep.

The present study investigated the suitability of three different absorbable biocomposites for the repair of critical sized bone defects created at the mandibular angle of adult sheep. Each biocomposite was composed of a three-dimensional individualized polylactide scaffold, containing a tricalcium phosphate biomaterial (chronOS). Either autologous bone marrow (chOS/BoneMarrow) or coagulation factor XIII (chOS/FactorXIII) was added to the biomaterial for osteopromotion. Venous whole blood (chOS/Blood) added to the biomaterial served as a control. A total of 18 adult sheep were used for implantation studies, subdivided into three groups of six animals each. After 12 weeks of observation, the animals were sacrificed and the mandibles were retrieved for qualitative and quantitative histologic assessment within three regions of interest (transitional zone, center, and periphery) throughout the biocomposites. Successful bone regeneration was defined by the absence of scaffold deformation and the presence of new bone formation within the biocomposites. In histomorphometry, only chOS/BoneMarrow showed elevated area fractions of newly formed bone in all regions of interest (transitional zone 50.7 ± 7.5, center 31.9 ± 9.3, periphery 23.1 ± 13.5). This led to preservation of the macroscopic scaffold structure in all specimens. Zero hurdle regression confirmed this by validating the factor biocomposite as significant (p < 0.001) for regeneration success. In our experiment, chOS/BoneMarrow was the only biocomposite passing the hurdle of regeneration in all three regions of interest. In contrast, bone formation was less pronounced and uniform in chOS/FactorXIII and chOS/blood-containing specimens. In these groups, scaffolds showed obvious to significant deformation. Overall, autologous bone marrow showed the most promising results in our experimental setting. As opposed to reports in the literature, we could not confirm the suitability of coagulation factor XIII to promote bone formation, since bone formation rates were comparable only to those of the control venous blood.

3D Printable Biophotopolymers for in Vivo Bone Regeneration

The present study investigated two novel biophotopolymer classes that are chemically based on non-toxic poly (vinyl alcohol). These vinylesters and vinylcarbonates were compared to standard acrylates in vitro on MC3T3-E1 cells and in vivo in a small animal model. In vitro, both vinylester and vinylcarbonate monomers showed about tenfold less cytotoxicity when compared to acrylates (IC50: 2.922 mM and 2.392 mM vs. 0.201 mM) and at least threefold higher alkaline phosphatase activity (17.038 and 18.836 vs. 5.795, measured at [10 mM]). In vivo, polymerized 3D cellular structures were implanted into the distal femoral condyle of 16 New Zealand White Rabbits and were observed for periods from 4 to 12 weeks. New bone formation and bone to implant contact was evaluated by histomorphometry at end of observation. Vinylesters showed similar rates of new bone formation but significantly less (p = 0.002) bone to implant contact, when compared to acrylates. In contrast, the implantation of vinylcarbonate based biophotopolymers led to significantly higher rates of newly formed bone (p < 0.001) and bone to implant contact (p < 0.001). Additionally, distinct signs of polymer degradation could be observed in vinylesters and vinylcarbonates by histology. We conclude, that vinylesters and vinylcarbonates are promising new biophotopolymers, that outmatch available poly(lactic acid) and (meth)acrylate based materials.

Survival of patients with pathologic T0N+ oral and oropharyngeal cancer after neoadjuvant therapy and surgery: the minority report

OBJECTIVES Treatment outcome of patients with oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OOSCC) achieving complete pathologic response at the primary site (ypT0) but incomplete response in loco-regional lymph nodes after preoperative chemoradiation (ypN+) is poorly described in the literature. This studys objective was to assess the survival of patients with OOSCC with ypT0N+ disease. STUDY DESIGN 176 patients with primary locally advanced OOSCC undergoing preoperative chemoradiotherapy were stratified according to the pathologic TNM classification into 6 groups: ypT0N0M0 (46%), ypT0N+M0 (10%), ypTNM I (24%), ypTNM II (4%), ypTNM III (6%), and ypTNM IV (10%). RESULTS Three-year overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates for the ypT0N+M0 group were both 61.8% and were similar to those of the ypTNM I group (OS 62.4%; RFS rate of 59.2%). CONCLUSIONS Survival analyses showed that patients with OOSCC with ypT0N+ disease have a similar prognosis to those with pathologic TNM stage I.

Mineral apposition rates provide significant information on long-term effects in BMP-induced bone regeneration

In this study, a CaP biomaterial was used as a carrier for rhBMP-2. Biomaterials were investigated in calvarial and femoral defects using a rabbit animal model, with unloaded biomaterials serving as control. Fluorochrome labels were administered at days 14 and 70. Specimens were retrieved after 12 weeks for histological analysis. When area fractions were assessed by conventional histomorphometry, no significant effect of rhBMP-2 on the amounts of regenerated bone and residual biomaterial were seen by 12 weeks. After mineral appositional rate (MAR) measurement using double labels, calculation yielded significantly higher MARs for defects at both implantation sites, when compared with surrounding bone, whether or not biomaterials were loaded with rhBMP-2. Analyzing the effect of rhBMP-2, both defect sites showed significantly higher MARs in the rhBMP-2 group. MARs of bone surrounding the defects had also been elevated significantly by rhBMP-2 at calvarial and femoral implantation sites. It is concluded that MAR measurement is suitable to identify long-term effects of rhBMP-2 on bone formation at a time when conventional histomorphometry using fractional area determination is inadequate. Also, by MAR assessment, effects of rhBMP-2 on surrounding bone can be documented.

20 years of cleft lip and palate missions.

Volunteer missions for cleft lip and palate (CLP) care in Indonesia (1991-1992), India (1994-2003), Bhutan (2005-2010), and Kenya (2011), took place always at the same Hospital in each country. Altogether over a thousand patients were operated using a conservative protocol: Safety first - no experiments. Five months and 5 kg were the basic rules. For the native doctors, training help for self-help was priority. In the announcements, patients with CLP were primarily addressed. Burns, contractions, tumors, and trauma-cases were the second priority. Fresh trauma was done in night shifts with the local surgeons in order not to interfere. Besides facial esthetics speech was the number one issue, following priorities fell into place. Cultural aspects played a certain role in the different countries and continents.

Unilateral face swelling as first manifestation of metastatic pancreatic cancer: case report and review of the literature.

ZusammenfassungHINTERGRUND: Metastatische Absiedlungen in den Kiefer-, Gesichtsbereich sind bei Patienten mit Pankreaskarzinom ungewöhlich und bislang erst in fünf Fällen beschrieben worden. FALLBERICHT: Ein 54-jähriger männlicher Patient suchte das Krankenhaus wegen einer Schwellung im Bereich des Unterkiefers auf. Histologisch bestand ein Adenokarzinom. Eine Computertomographie führte schließlich zur Diagnose eines Pankreaskarzinoms. Eine Radiochemotherapie wurde eingeleitet, jedoch frühzeitig aufgrund von intraoralen Blutungen im Bereich der Metastase wieder abgebrochen. In der Folge erhielt der Patient palliative Chemotherapie. Das Primum konnte stabilisiert werden, wohingegen die Raumforderung im Bereich der Mandibula weiter an Größe zunahm. Trotz maximaler Supportivtherapie verstarb der Patient im Januar 2007. SCHLUSSFOLGERUNG: Bei einer für Metastasen ungewöhnlichen Lokalisation wie der Mandibula sollte nicht nur Frage eines potentiell kurativen Therapieansatzes, sondern auch die möglicherweise geringere Sensitivität gegenüber konservativer Therapie und die Lebensqualität des Patienten in die Entscheidung, ob eine Metastasenresektion durchgeführt wird, miteinfließen.SummaryOBJECTIVE: Metastasis to the jaw is a rare finding in pancreatic cancer; only five cases of tumor spread to the oral region have been described. CASE REPORT: We report on a previously healthy 54-year-old man who attended the hospital in 2006 because of a mandibular mass. Histology was positive for adenocarcinoma and computed tomography led to the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Chemoradiotherapy was started but had to be stopped early because of intraoral bleeding from the metastasis. The patient subsequently received palliative chemotherapy. The primary cancer was stabilized but the mandibular mass progressed despite cytostatic therapy. Despite best supportive measures the patient died nine months after presentation. CONCLUSION: In making the decision on whether metastasectomy should be performed in an uncommon site of metastatic spread such as the mandibula, both the possibility of cure and also the potentially decreased response to conservative therapy and the patients decreased quality of life have to be considered.