Purpose The current standard in reconstructing defects of the orbital floor, by using the concept of mirroring, is time‐consuming and ignores the natural asymmetry of the skull. By using a statistical shape model (SSM), the reconstruction can be automatized and improved in accuracy. The present study aims to show the possibilities of the virtual reconstruction of artificial defects of the orbital floor using an SSM and its potentials for clinical implementation. Methods Based on 131 unaffected CT scans of the midface, an SSM was created which contained the shape variability of the orbital floor. Nineteen midface CT scans, that were not included in the SSM, were manually segmented to establish ground truth (control group). Then artificial defects of larger and smaller sizes were created and reconstructed using SSM (Group I) and the gold standard of mirroring (Group II). Eventually, a comparison to the surface of the manual segmentation (control group) was performed. Results The proposed method of reconstruction using an SSM leads to more precise reconstruction results, compared with the conventional method of mirroring. Whereas mirroring led to the reconstruction errors of 0.7 mm for small defects and 0.73 mm for large defects, reconstruction using SSM led to deviations of 0.26 mm (small defect) and, respectively, 0.34 mm (large defect). Conclusions The presented approach is an effective and accurate method for reconstructing the orbital floor. In connection with modern computer‐aided design and manufacturing, individual patient‐specific implants could be produced according to SSM‐based reconstructions and could replace current methods using manual bending techniques. By acknowledging the natural asymmetry of the human skull, the SSM‐based approach achieves higher accuracy in reconstructing injured orbits.

Introduction. Human mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSCs) exhibit the potential to accelerate bone healing by enhanced osteogenic differentiation. Interleukin-1β is highly expressed during fracture healing and has been demonstrated to exert a significant impact on the differentiation behaviour of hMSCs. Here, we investigate the effect of 2-hour IL-1β stimulation on the differentiation and paracrine activity of hMSCs in coculture with osteosarcoma cells in vitro. Methods. hMSCs from 3 donors were incubated for 2 hours with 10 ng/mL IL-1β and subsequently cocultured with MG63-GFP cells either in control or in differentiation medium in a transwell system for 28 days. Genetic and functional effects were investigated. Results. hMSCs cultured in control medium exhibited a regulatory effect on cocultured MG63-GFP cells, resulting in upregulation of osteogenic gene expression in combination with increased ALP activity. However, while stimulated hMSCs cultured under differentiation conditions exhibit signs of osteogenic differentiation, osteogenic differentiation also caused an impaired regulatory effect on the cocultured MG63-GFP cells. Conclusion. Short stimulation of hMSCs has the potential to modify their long-term behaviour. In addition, undifferentiated hMSCs are able to regulate osteoblast differentiation; however, this regulatory function is lost upon osteogenic differentiation in vitro. This offers a novel approach for clinical cell therapy protocols.

Objectives/Hypothesis: The prevalence of tympanostomy tube surgery (TTS) in patients with a cleft deformity was investigated, in relation to cleft width and cleft type.Study Design: Retrospective review of medical health records. Methods: Retrospective review of medical health records. Seventy-eight patients with non-syndromic cleft deformity of the palate and/or alveolus and lip between 2003 and 2017 were investigated. All available medical documents were analyzed. The study group was divided into subgroups: 1) patients with isolated cleft palate (CP) and patients with a cleft palate with cleft lip and alveolus (CLP). 2) According to Veau's classification (I-IV), further subgroups were defined. Cleft width was measured using plaster cast models.Results: TTS was performed in 55% of the patients (n = 43). Considering Veau's classification, TTS was conducted as follows: Veau I 65.2% (n = 15/23), Veau II 55.0% (n = 11/20), Veau III 47.6% (n = 10/21), and Veau IV 50.0% (n = 7/14). Cleft classifications, maxillary arch width, and absolute/relative cleft width had no statistical impact on TTS occurrence. Although no significant correlation could be found, patients in our study group with CP (Veau I and II) underwent TTS more often (60.5%, n = 26/43) than patients with CPL (Veau III and IV; 48.6%, n = 17/35) during a three-year follow-up.Conclusion: None of the cleft characteristics examined had a significant impact on the proportion of patients who received TTS. Nevertheless, patients with lower Veau classification and CP received tympanostomy tubes more often. Therefore, otolaryngologists and pediatricians treating children with cleft palate should maintain a high level of suspicion for chronic middle ear effusion, even in patients with small clefts.