Objectives: This systematic review assesses dental implant survival, calculates the incidence rate of osteoradionecrosis, and evaluates risk factors in irradiated head and neck cancer patients. Materials and methods: Various databases (e.g., Medline/Embase using Ovid) and gray literature platforms were searched using a combination of keywords and subject headings. When appropriate, meta-analysis was carried out using a random effects model. Otherwise, pooled analysis was applied. Results: A total of 425 of the 660 included patients received radiotherapy. In total, 2602 dental implants were placed, and 1637 were placed in irradiated patients. Implant survival after an average follow-up of 37.7 months was 97% (5% confidence interval, CI 95.2%, 95% CI 98.3%) in nonirradiated patients and 91.9% (5% CI 87.7%, 95% CI: 95.3%) after an average follow-up of 39.8 months in irradiated patients. Osteoradionecrosis occurred in 11 cases, leading to an incidence of 3% (5% CI 1.6%, 95% CI 4.9%). The main factors impacting implant survival were radiation and grafting status, while factors influencing osteoradionecrosis could not be determined using meta-analysis. Conclusion: Our data show that implant survival in irradiated patients is lower than in nonirradiated patients, and osteoradionecrosis is—while rare—a serious complication that any OMF surgeon should be prepared for. The key to success could be a standardized patient selection and therapy to improve the standard of care, reduce risks and shorten treatment time. Clinical relevance: Our analysis provides further evidence that implant placement is a feasible treatment option in irradiated head and neck cancer patients with diminished oral function and good long-term cancer prognosis.
Background/Objectives: Isolated orbital floor fractures are a common consequence of midfacial trauma and are frequently associated with functional and aesthetic complications such as diplopia, enophthalmos, infraorbital hypoesthesia, restricted ocular motility, and, in rare cases, blindness. Current therapeutic approaches vary significantly between different surgeons. This systematic review aimed to evaluate different treatment strategies for isolated orbital floor fractures to determine the most effective approaches. Methods: Electronic systematic searches were conducted using keywords to identify studies reporting isolated orbital floor fractures. Publications were screened for eligibility, and relevant data were extracted and evaluated. Results: This systematic review included 444 patients from 27 selected studies. 42 patients were treated conservatively, while 381 underwent various surgical interventions. Overall, the mentioned treatment modalities were successful in correcting enophthalmos (85.2%), diplopia (74.8%), ocular motility restriction (61.6%), and sensory disturbances (61.1%) in their respective patient cohorts. The complication and reoperation rates for the surgical interventions were low during the follow-up periods ranging from 6 weeks to 10 years. The timing, surgical approach, and reconstructive technique varied widely across the studies. Conclusions: Both conservative and surgical management of isolated orbital floor fractures can achieve satisfactory clinical outcomes. Clinical symptoms, defect size, and the surgeon’s preference define the ideal treatment modality.
Background/Objectives: Virtual surgical planning (VSP) and CAD/CAM technologies have revolutionized complex maxillofacial reconstruction. While high-resolution imaging is critical for these workflows, the specific clinical impact of photon-counting computed tomography (PCCT) remains to be fully established. This prospective pilot study evaluates the feasibility and clinical utility of integrating PCCT into the preoperative planning and surgical workflow of complex maxillofacial reconstructive cases. Methods: This feasibility study included ten patients requiring complex maxillofacial reconstruction with microvascular free flaps. All underwent preoperative imaging with photon-counting CT. Primary endpoints included clinical assessment of osseous invasion, reliability of donor-site vascular mapping from a single acquisition, and compatibility of PCCT datasets with VSP/CAD-CAM platforms. Secondary endpoints included resection margin status, flap survival, and short-term oncologic outcomes. Results: PCCT provided high-resolution visualization of cortical and medullary bone, enabling detailed assessment of tumor-related osseous involvement. In selected cases, findings supported refinement of resection planning when prior imaging had been inconclusive. Spectral reconstructions reduced metal artifacts and facilitated precise segmentation for multi-segment osteotomies. Donor-site vascular anatomy was successfully evaluated within the same scan, supporting operative planning without additional imaging. PCCT datasets were fully compatible with the virtual surgical planning (VSP) software used in this study (CMX Portal, version 2.6.1158, Medartis AG, Basel, Switzerland; or ProPlan CMF, version 5.7.8.025, Materialise NV, Leuven, Belgium) in all cases (100%). Reconstruction was completed successfully in all patients, with 100% flap survival and R0 margins in all malignant cases. No technical failures occurred during imaging transfer or CAD/CAM fabrication. Conclusions: The integration of PCCT into the surgical workflow proved technically feasible and clinically impactful. This pilot data supports its potential to enhance surgical precision and preoperative planning in complex jaw reconstruction.
16 August 2026 in Journal of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery