Objective: Free nonvascularized alveolar bone grafting in severe defects of the cleft region often results in poor implant bed conditions. Here an alternative augmentation technique using a new technique of vascularized bone transfer is described. Design: In five patients with clefts of the lip, palate, and alveolus (four unilateral, one bilateral) there was a severe defect of the anterior maxillary alveolar ridge after tooth loss. The patients previously had augmentative surgery one to three times without success. The defect was covered using a microvascular corticocancellous transplant from the medial distal femur. The defects to be corrected measured 2.5 to 4.0 cm long, 1.0 to 1.5 cm wide, and 1 to 1.5 cm high. The microvascular pedicle of the femur bone flap was 3 to 7 cm long. The descending genicular artery was anastomosed to the facial or labial superior artery and the accompanying veins accordingly. In every case, the anastomoses were performed via an intraoral transmucosal approach. Results: There were no serious complications and no flap loss. In all patients the defect was covered by a flap of the correct size and design. All patients were treated with dental implants (13 total) 6 months after successful reconstruction of the ridge. The implants were loaded 4 to 6 months after placement with fixed superstructures. There were good peri-implant conditions and no implant loss. Conclusion: The microvascular osteoperiosteal femur flap can be used successfully in individual reconstruction of segmental defects of the alveolar ridge in adult cleft patients.

(1) Background: Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (MRONJ) is an adverse drug reaction characterized by progressive bone disruption and necrosis in the mandibular and/or maxillary bones. It occurs in individuals who have received antiresorptive drugs without prior radiotherapy. Since its first reported cases in the USA in 2003, extensive literature has emerged worldwide, leading to significant advancements in understanding MRONJ’s pathogenesis and management. (2) Results: This article aims to compare the current national recommendations provided by the Italian Society of Maxillofacial Surgery (SICMF)/Italian Society of Oral Pathology and Medicine (SIPMO) and the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS). (3) Conclusions: Historically, the AAOMS advocated for a more conservative approach compared to the Italian guidelines. However, in their 2022 update, the AAOMS adopted a different perspective based on reported evidence, highlighting the advantages of early surgical treatment. Despite resolving some initial controversies, differences still exist between the two sets of recommendations, particularly regarding diagnosis and staging.

Objective: To assess the aesthetic and functional long-term results of surgical and orthodontic treatment of patients with bilateral cleft lip, palate, and alveolus. Design: Long-term follow-up study. Setting: Teaching hospital in Austria. Patients: Twenty adult patients who had been operated on as children for bilateral cleft lip, palate, and alveolus. Interventions: Lateral cephalometric and model analysis. The sum of all mesiodistal tooth diameters in the maxilla and mandible were compared with standard Bolton tracings. Main outcome measures: Aesthetic and functional results. Results (model analysis): The upper arch was too wide in 12 patients and the mandibular arch was too wide in 4 patients. In 11 patients, the lateral teeth were crowded, and all had a persistent transverse space deficit and a reduction in sagittal measurements. Fifteen patients had alveolar midline displacement of the maxilla as well as of the mandible. Results (lateral cephalometric measurements): The lateral cephalograms showed a mean sella-nasion-A point angle of 77° and a maxillary baseline-nasion-sella line angle of 9°, indicating a tendency toward maxillary retrognathia. An anterior facial height index of 42% (compared with the standard 58%) indicated a slight reduction in midface height with consequent increase in the height of the lower face. Conclusion: There is specific growth impairment of the midface in adults who were treated as children for bilateral clefts of lip, palate, and alveolus. An optimal result can be achieved only by additional orthognathic surgery (Le Fort II osteotomy).

Purpose of review: The aim of this article is to review the literature on medial femoral condyle (MFC) free flap in head and neck reconstruction. Recent findings: The MFC flap is a superb material for head and neck reconstruction, especially in smaller bony defects. As an alternative to fibular free flap, it presents many advantages. Combining the periosteal bone with skin and/or muscle paddle, the MFC flap is suitable for complex reconstructions with favorable healing process. Even though this flap has a longer history of orthopedic and traumatologic reconstructions, a number of cases in head and neck surgery have been recently reported. Summary: The MFC flap has been successfully used to reconstruct various head and neck sites, from the orbit, maxilla, and mandible, to the laryngeal and tracheal scaffolds.

Objective: Long-term health of the stomatognathic system as well as esthetic aspects are the therapeutic goals in patients with orofacial clefts. The aim of this study was to analyze the periodontal condition of patients with cleft palate (CP) and cleft lip, palate, and alveolus (CLP) and to determine the differing degrees and localization of periodontal disease. Design: In 30 patients with unilateral cleft lip, palate, and alveolus and 30 patients with cleft palate (CP), periodontal lesions were identified and classified according to the Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN) and pathological mobility of teeth was noted. The state of oral hygiene was recorded by the Approximal Plaque Index. Results: In general, poor oral hygiene was found in all patients. Patients with CLP were classified as CPITN code 0 in 0%, codes 1 and 2 in 7%, code 3 in 43%, and code 4 in 50% of cases. Patients with cleft palate showed code 0 in 0%, codes 1 and 2 in 30%, code 3 in 45%, and code 4 in 25% of cases. In this study, periodontal disease was found in patients with cleft palate to a similar extent to that in the general population, whereas patients with cleft lip, palate, and alveolus had a predisposition to deep peridontal destruction of teeth adjacent to the cleft. The registration of pathological mobility of teeth and resulting loss of attachment corresponded to the periodontal disease classification according to the CPITN. Conclusion: A critical periodontal situation was found in patients with unilateral cleft lip, palate, and alveolus. In contrast, patients with cleft palate exhibited a similar periodontal situation to that found in the general population, with additional damage that may be attributed to orthodontic treatment.