Surgical Application of Human Amniotic Membrane and Amnion-Chorion Membrane in the Oral Cavity and Efficacy Evaluation: Corollary With Ophthalmological and Wound Healing Experiences

Due to its intrinsic properties, there has been growing interest in human amniotic membrane (hAM) in recent years particularly for the treatment of ocular surface disorders and for wound healing. Herein, we investigate the potential use of hAM and amnion-chorion membrane (ACM) in oral surgery. Based on our analysis of the literature, it appears that their applications are very poorly defined. There are two options: implantation or use as a cover material graft. The oral cavity is submitted to various mechanical and biological stimulations that impair membrane stability and maintenance. Thus, some devices have been combined with the graft to secure its positioning and protect it in this location. This current opinion paper addresses in detail suitable procedures for hAM and ACM utilization in soft and hard tissue reconstruction in the oral cavity. We address their implantation and/or use as a covering, storage format, application side, size and number, multilayer use or folding, suture or use of additional protective covers, re-application and resorption/fate. We gathered evidence on pre- and post-surgical care and evaluation tools. Finally, we integrated ophthalmological and wound healing practices into the collected information. This review aims to help practitioners and researchers better understand the application of hAM and ACM in the oral cavity, a place less easily accessible than ocular or cutaneous surfaces. Additionally, it could be a useful reference in the generation of new ideas for the development of innovative protective covering, suturing or handling devices in this specific indication. Finally, this overview could be considered as a position paper to guide investigators to fulfill all the identified criteria in the future.

Use of Vaginal Packing in the Management of Lower Uterine Segment Atony

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the effect of vaginal packing in the management of lower uterine segment atony that it is a distinct cause of primary postpartum hemorrhage. We also set out to determine the incidence of lower uterine segment atony. STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective study involving 967 births out of 25 000 deliveries in one institution in the year 2018. Of 967 births were managed by the corresponding author of this study. Of 14 lower uterine segment atony patients were occurred during the study period among 967 deliveries. All patients with lower uterine segment atony were treated by vaginal packing. RESULTS: The occurrence of postpartum hemorrhage among the study population was 57/967 (5.9%). We found the incidence of lower uterine segment atony to be 1.4% (14/967). Vaginal packing as a first attempt was found to be successful for controlling hemorrhage in 13/14 (92.8%) patients with lower uterine segment atony. It was found to occur in the repeated cesarean group more than other groups, but this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.157). Any complications were occurred related to packing. CONCLUSION: Vaginal packing was found to be simple, safe, and feasible in terms of achieving hemostasis in cases of postpartum hemorrhage due to lower uterine segment atony. Vaginal packing is a potential method for preserving the uterus before further surgical application.

Anatomical variation of the median nerve and its thenar branch: Clinical and surgical application in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common root canal pathology. The surgical treatment corresponds to a release of the median nerve by incision of the anterior annular ligament of the carpus by open surgical treatment or endoscopy. Knowledge of the normal anatomy and anatomical variations of the median nerve at the wrist is fundamental to avoiding complications in median nerve release in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome. Through this work we will show the interest of knowledge of the anatomy of the median nerve as well as its anatomical variations in order to derive the main clinical applications and to avoid the risks associated with open or endoscopic surgery in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Metrics of OsteoChondral Allografts (MOCA) Group Consensus Statements on the Use of Viable Osteochondral Allograft

Background: Osteochondral allograft (OCA) transplantation has evolved into a first-line treatment for large chondral and osteochondral defects, aided by advancements in storage protocols and a growing body of clinical evidence supporting successful clinical outcomes and long-term survivorship. Despite the body of literature supporting OCAs, there still remains controversy and debate in the surgical application of OCA, especially where high-level evidence is lacking. Purpose: To develop consensus among an expert group with extensive clinical and scientific experience in OCA, addressing controversies in the treatment of chondral and osteochondral defects with OCA transplantation. Study Design: Consensus statement. Methods: A focus group of clinical experts on OCA cartilage restoration participated in a 3-round modified Delphi process to generate a list of statements and establish consensus. Questions and statements were initially developed on specific topics that lack scientific evidence and lead to debate and controversy in the clinical community. In-person discussion occurred where statements were not agreed on after 2 rounds of voting. After final voting, the percentage of agreement and level of consensus were characterized. A systematic literature review was performed, and the level of evidence and grade were established for each statement. Results: Seventeen statements spanning surgical technique, graft matching, indications, and rehabilitation reached consensus after the final round of voting. Of the 17 statements that reached consensus, 11 received unanimous (100%) agreement, and 6 received strong (80%-99%) agreement. Conclusion: The outcomes of this study led to the establishment of consensus statements that provide guidance on surgical and perioperative management of OCAs. The findings also provided insights on topics requiring more research or high-quality studies to further establish consensus and provide stronger evidence.

A modular, multi-arm concentric tube robot system with application to transnasal surgery for orbital tumors

In the development of telemanipulated surgical robots, a class of continuum robots known as concentric tube robots has drawn particular interest for clinical applications in which space is a major limitation. One such application is transnasal surgery, which is used to access surgical sites in the sinuses and at the skull base. Current techniques for performing these procedures require surgeons to maneuver multiple rigid tools through the narrow confines of the nasal passages, leaving them with limited dexterity at the surgical site. In this article, we present a complete robotic system for transnasal surgery featuring concentric tube manipulators. It illustrates a bagging concept for sterility, and intraoperatively interchangeable instruments that work in conjunction with it, which were developed with operating room workflow compatibility in mind. The system also includes a new modular, portable surgeon console, a variable view-angle endoscope to facilitate surgical field visualization, and custom motor control electronics. Furthermore, we demonstrate elastic instability avoidance for the first time on a physical prototype in a geometrically accurate surgical scenario, which facilitates use of higher curvature tubes than could otherwise be used safely in this application. From a surgical application perspective, this article presents the first robotic approach to removing tumors growing behind the eyes in the orbital apex region, which has not been attempted previously with a surgical robot.

Human Primary Dermal Fibroblasts Interacting with 3-Dimensional Matrices for Surgical Application Show Specific Growth and Gene Expression Programs

Several types of 3-dimensional (3D) biological matrices are employed for clinical and surgical applications, but few indications are available to guide surgeons in the choice among these materials. Here we compare the in vitro growth of human primary fibroblasts on different biological matrices commonly used for clinical and surgical applications and the activation of specific molecular pathways over 30 days of growth. Morphological analyses by Scanning Electron Microscopy and proliferation curves showed that fibroblasts have different ability to attach and proliferate on the different biological matrices. They activated similar gene expression programs, reducing the expression of collagen genes and myofibroblast differentiation markers compared to fibroblasts grown in 2D. However, differences among 3D matrices were observed in the expression of specific metalloproteinases and interleukin-6. Indeed, cell proliferation and expression of matrix degrading enzymes occur in the initial steps of interaction between fibroblast and the investigated meshes, whereas collagen and interleukin-6 expression appear to start later. The data reported here highlight features of fibroblasts grown on different 3D biological matrices and warrant further studies to understand how these findings may be used to help the clinicians choose the correct material for specific applications.