Complete remission of metastatic osteosarcoma using combined modality therapy: a retrospective analysis of unselected patients in China

Abstract Background Complete surgical remission (CSR) is the best predictor of overall survival (OS) for patients with metastatic osteosarcoma. However, metastasectomy has not been widely implemented in China in the last decade due to various factors, and instead, most physicians choose hypofractionated radiotherapy to treat pulmonary lesions. This study aimed to retrospectively evaluate the outcomes of different local treatments for pulmonary lesions and identify the best local therapy strategies for these patients. Methods We reviewed the clinical courses of osteosarcoma patients with pulmonary metastases who were initially treated in two sarcoma centres in Beijing, China, from June 1st, 2009, to March 26th, 2020. With a median follow-up of 32.4 (95% confidence interval (CI): 30.8, 36.1) months, a total of 127 patients with 605 pulmonary nodules, all of whom had received local therapy and firstly achieved CSR or complete radiated/metabolic remission (CRR), were included in the analysis. A total of 102 patients with 525 nodules were initially diagnosed with resectable lung metastases, while 25 patients had 80 indeterminate nodules at presentation and relapsed with pulmonary metastases within 6 months after the completion of adjuvant chemotherapy. Results Eighty-eight of 127 (69.3%) patients had fewer than 5 nodules at the time of local therapy, with 48 of 127 (37.8%) located in the unilateral pleura. No patient underwent thoracotomy, and 42 of 127 patients (85 nodules) received video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). In addition, 79 of 127 patients (520 nodules) received hypofractionated stereotactic body radiotherapy (RT), such as Gamma Knife radiosurgery or CyberKnife radiosurgery. The twelve-month event-free survival (EFS) (from local therapy to progression) rate of this entire study cohort was 35.6% (95% CI: 26.8, 44.4%), without a significant difference between the two groups (44.7% for VATS vs. 28.4% for RT, P = 0.755). Radiation-induced pneumonitis was observed in 62 of 86 (72.1%) patients, with one patient (1/86, 1.2%) in grade 4. Conclusions Our past data showed a similar prognosis with the use of hypofractionated radiotherapy and VATS for the treatment of pulmonary metastasis and no inferiority to thoracotomy regarding historical outcomes. Currently, high-resolution chest computed tomography (CT) provides sufficient information on nodules, and less invasive modalities can thus be considered for treatment.

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Complete Remission of Metastatic Osteosarcoma using Combined Modality Therapy: A Retrospective Analysis of Unselected Patients in China

10.21203/rs.3.rs-390561/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Lu Xie ◽

Jie Xu ◽

Xiaowei Li ◽

Zuli Zhou ◽

Hongqing Zhuang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pulmonary Metastases ◽

Local Therapy ◽

Hypofractionated Radiotherapy ◽

Study Cohort ◽

Sufficient Information ◽

Progression Rate ◽

Entire Study ◽

Pulmonary Lesions ◽

Metastatic Osteosarcoma ◽

Significant Difference

Abstract Background Complete surgical remission (CSR) is the best predictor of overall survival (OS) for patients with metastatic osteosarcoma. However, metastasectomy has not been widely implemented in China in the last decade due to various factors, and instead, most physicians choose hypofractionated radiotherapy to treat pulmonary lesions. This study aimed to retrospectively evaluate the outcomes of different local treatments for pulmonary lesions and identify the best local therapy strategies for these patients. Methods We reviewed the clinical courses of osteosarcoma patients with pulmonary metastases who were initially treated in two sarcoma centres in Beijing, China, from June 1st, 2009, to March 26th, 2020. With a median follow-up of 32.4 (95% confidence interval (CI): 30.8, 36.1) months, a total of 127 patients with 605 pulmonary nodules, all of whom had received local therapy and firstly achieved CSR or complete radiated/metabolic remission (CRR), were included in the analysis. A total of 102 patients with 525 nodules were initially diagnosed with resectable lung metastases, while 25 patients had 80 indeterminate nodules at presentation and relapsed with pulmonary metastases within 6 months after the completion of adjuvant chemotherapy. Results Eighty-eight of 127 (69.3%) patients had fewer than 5 nodules at the time of local therapy, with 48 of 127 (37.8%) located in the unilateral pleura. No patient underwent thoracotomy, and 42 of 127 patients (85 nodules) received video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). In addition, 79 of 127 patients (520 nodules) received hypofractionated stereotactic body radiotherapy (RT), such as Gamma Knife radiosurgery or CyberKnife radiosurgery. The twelve-month event-free survival (EFS) (from local therapy to progression) rate of this entire study cohort was 35.6% (95% CI: 26.8%, 44.4%), without a significant difference between the two groups (44.7% for VATS vs. 28.4% for RT, P = 0.755). Radiation-induced pneumonitis was observed in 62 of 86 (72.1%) patients, with one patient (1/86, 1.2%) in grade 4. Conclusions Our past data showed a similar prognosis with the use of hypofractionated radiotherapy and VATS for the treatment of pulmonary metastasis and no inferiority to thoracotomy regarding historical outcomes. Currently, high-resolution chest computed tomography (CT) provides sufficient information on nodules, and less invasive modalities can thus be considered for treatment.

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Abstract 2754: Pulmonary Vein Isolation Using Irrigated vs. Conventional 4-mm Tip Catheters- Do Short and Long-Term Outcomes Differ?

Circulation ◽

10.1161/circ.118.suppl_18.s_772 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 118 (suppl_18) ◽

Author(s):

Ganesh S Kamath ◽

Harikrishna Makani ◽

Jorge Silva Enciso ◽

Sunil Kumar ◽

Suneet Mittal ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pulmonary Vein ◽

Pulmonary Vein Isolation ◽

Clinical Investigation ◽

Study Cohort ◽

Radiofrequency Energy ◽

Entire Study ◽

Number Of Patients ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Initial Procedure ◽

Short And Long Term

Open saline-irrigated tip ablation catheters have largely supplanted standard 4 mm tip ablation catheters for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) of atrial fibrillation (AF), based on the assumption that the procedure is safer and more efficacious. However, outcomes after procedures that use identical techniques but different radiofrequency ablation catheters have not been compared. We studied 432 consecutive patients (age 57 ± 11 yrs) with AF (duration 7.9 ± 6.1 yrs) who underwent PVI; 320 (74 %) using a conventional 4 mm catheter and 112 (26 %) using an open irrigated tip catheter. Segmental PVI targeting the earliest LA-PV activation for all PVs in each patient was used for all patients regardless of catheter for the entire study cohort. Radiofrequency energy was delivered for ≥60 secs at each target site. The pts in the 2 groups were similar with respect to age, gender and duration of AF. All 432 pts had successful complete PVI. There was no significant difference in the total number of lesions delivered per PV in the conventional 4 mm group and the irrigated tip group (Table ) at the initial procedure. Following a single procedure, 227/ 320 (71%) patients in the conventional 4 mm and 75/112 (67%) in the irrigated group were AF-free on no antiarrhythmic drug at 12 mos (p=0.43). The number of patients who required repeat procedures was similar in the conventional group (57/320, 18%) and the irrigated tip group (22/112, 20%) (p=0.66). Serious complications were also similar (2.2% vs. 1.0 %, p=0.21) Contrary to conventional wisdom, the safety and 12 month efficacy of PVI for management of AF was similar for the two types of ablation catheters. These data suggest that PVI cohorts derived from differing ablation techniques can be combined for purposes of clinical investigation. Longer term outcomes may differ and should be studied as well.

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Comparative study of Clinical Characteristics in Patients with Mild and Severe Reflux Esophagitis

Acta Marisiensis - Seria Medica ◽

10.2478/amma-2020-0002 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 66 (1) ◽

pp. 19-22

Author(s):

Melania Macarie ◽

Simona Maria Bataga ◽

Monica Pantea ◽

Razvan Opaschi ◽

Simona Mocan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Sex Ratio ◽

Hiatal Hernia ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Erosive Esophagitis ◽

Male Gender ◽

Consecutive Series ◽

Study Group ◽

Entire Study ◽

Significant Difference

AbstractObjective: This study aims to determine the correlation between risk factors and erosive esophagitis development.Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study on a consecutive series of 19.672 patients who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy between 01.01.2011-31.12.2017. A total of 3005 patients, diagnosed with erosive esophagitis, were included in the present study and stratified according to Los Angeles classification.Results: During the studied period we found 3005 patients with erosive esophagitis, sex ratio male to female was 1.3/1, the most common forms of esophagitis being grade A and B: 74.54% patients with esophagitis grade A, 14.80% patients with grade B; 5.29% patients were with grade C and 5.35% patients with esophagitis grade D. In severe esophagitis the male predominance was more prevalent (249 males, 71 female), with a sex ratio 3.50/1. The correlation of male gender with severe esophagitis was highly statistically significant (p < 0.0001, OR 2.97; 95% CI 2.25-3.91). Hiatal hernia was diagnosed in 1171 patients, the presence of large hiatal hernias, being an important predictor, with statistical significance (p < 0.0001, OR 3.41; 95% CI 2.22-5.21), for severe esophagitis development. Incidence of Helicobacter pylori infection was 11.51%, in the entire study group, with no statistical significant difference between patients with mild or severe esophagitis (12.02% vs 7.18%).Conclusion: Erosive esophagitis is a frequent disease, the most common forms being grade A and B. Male gender and the presence of hiatal hernia are the most important risk factors for erosive esophagitis development, in our study group.

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Chemoembolization Plus Radiotherapy versus Chemoembolization Plus Sorafenib for the Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Invading the Portal Vein: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis

Cancers ◽

10.3390/cancers12051116 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (5) ◽

pp. 1116 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Hee Ho Chu ◽

Jin Hyoung Kim ◽

Ju Hyun Shim ◽

Sang Min Yoon ◽

Pyeong Hwa Kim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽

Propensity Score ◽

Portal Vein ◽

Propensity Score Matching ◽

Combined Treatment ◽

Correct Selection ◽

Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽

Entire Study ◽

Treatment Type ◽

Significant Difference

A combination of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) plus sorafenib or radiotherapy (RT) has demonstrated efficacy in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Here, the two combined treatment approaches were compared in patients with HCC and portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT). Data from 307 patients treated with TACE plus RT (n = 203) or TACE plus sorafenib (n = 104) as first-line treatment for HCC with PVTT were retrospectively evaluated. Using the propensity model to correct selection bias, 87 patients were included from each treatment group. During follow up (median, 12 months) in the entire study population, the median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were significantly longer in the TACE plus RT group than in the TACE plus sorafenib group (6.5 vs. 4.3 months, respectively; p = 0.017 and 16.4 vs. 12 months, respectively; p = 0.007). Following propensity score matching, the median PFS and OS in the two groups showed no statistically significant difference. Multivariable analysis found no significant association between PFS or OS and the treatment type. In conclusion, this retrospective study of data from patients with advanced HCC with PVTT shows that PFS and OS did not differ significantly in patients treated with TACE plus RT and TACE plus sorafenib.

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Analysis of treatment adherence and cost among patients with epilepsy: a four‐year retrospective cohort study in Pakistan

BMC Health Services Research ◽

10.1186/s12913-021-06085-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Muhammad Arif Asghar ◽

Ahad Abdul Rehman ◽

Muhammad Liaquat Raza ◽

Yousra Shafiq ◽

Muhammad Asif Asghar

Keyword(s):

Associated Factors ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

The United States ◽

Initial Therapy ◽

Study Cohort ◽

Entire Study ◽

Cox Regression Analysis ◽

Recommended Treatment ◽

Patients With Epilepsy

Abstract Background The adherence pattern of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) among patients with epilepsy is relatively lower in the United States and different European countries. However, adherence and cost analysis of AEDs in Asian countries have not been thoroughly studied. Therefore, the present study aimed to analyze the cost and adherence of AEDs and its associated factors in patients followed in Pakistan. Methods Data from prescriptions collected from patients with epilepsy who have visited the Outpatient Department (OPD) of different tertiary care hospitals at the cosmopolitan city of Karachi, Pakistan from December 2015 to November 2019. The mean follow-up period for each participant was about 22 months. Pairwise comparisons from Cox regression/hazard ratios were used to assess the predictors of adherence. Direct costs of AEDs were calculated and presented as the annual cost of drugs. Results A total of 11,490 patients were included in this study, 51.2 % were male and 48.8 % were female with a mean age of 45.2 ± 15.8 y. Levetiracetam was found as the most prescribing AED in all study participants (32.9 %). Of them, 49.1 % of patients continued their initial recommended treatment. However, 31.3 % of patients have discontinued the therapy, while, 19.6 % were switched to other AED. Adherence with initial treatment was more profound in male (57.4 %) patients, compared to female with a mean age of 44.2 years. Lamotrigine users (60.6 %) showed a higher tendency to retain on initially prescribed drugs. The total cost of epilepsy treatment in the entire study cohort was 153280.5 PKR ($941.9). By applying the Cox regression analysis, it can be observed that the patients with increasing age (OR, 2.04), migraine (OR, 2.21), psychiatric disorders (OR, 4.28), other comorbidities (OR, 1.52) and users of other than top five prescribing AEDs (2.35) were at higher risk of treatment discontinuation. However, levetiracetam (OR, 0.69), valproic acid (OR, 0.52), carbamazepine (OR, 0.81), lamotrigine (OR, 0.80) or lacosamide (OR, 0.65) users have more chances to continue their initial therapy. Conclusions Similar to western countries, the majority of patients with epilepsy exhibited low adherence with AEDs. Various associated factors for improving adherence were identified in this study.

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Impact of Extrahepatic Metastases on Overall Survival in Patients with Advanced Liver Dominant Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Subanalysis of the SORAMIC Trial

Liver Cancer ◽

10.1159/000510798 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (6) ◽

pp. 771-786

Author(s):

Kerstin Schütte ◽

Regina Schinner ◽

Mathias P. Fabritius ◽

Melina Möller ◽

Christiane Kuhl ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽

Median Survival ◽

Pulmonary Metastases ◽

Study Entry ◽

Extrahepatic Disease ◽

Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Distant Organ ◽

Extrahepatic Metastases ◽

The Impact

Introduction: Extrahepatic spread is reported as a prognostic factor in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) receiving systemic therapy. However, clinical studies have reported conflicting results for the clinical impact of the pattern of tumor progression during treatment and the role of new extrahepatic metastases in length of survival. Objective: To evaluate the impact of extrahepatic metastases on survival in patients with HCC treated with sorafenib or with a combination of sorafenib and selective internal radiation treatment (SIRT). Methods: SORAMIC is a randomized, controlled trial comprising diagnostic, local ablation, and palliative cohorts. In the palliative cohort, patients not eligible for transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) were randomized 11:10 to SIRT plus sorafenib (SIRT + sorafenib) or sorafenib alone. This exploratory subanalysis evaluated the impact of extrahepatic metastases on survival. Results: In the intent-to-treat cohort, 216 patients were randomized to SIRT + sorafenib and 208 to sorafenib alone. Seventeen patients with distant organ metastases (bone, n = 11; adrenal glands, n = 5; peritoneum, n = 1) and 262 without distant metastases at study entry were analyzed in this substudy. Patients with (Group A) and without (Group B) distant organ metastases at study entry presented with a median survival of 11.3 and 14.8 months, respectively (p = 0.2807). During follow-up of patients with no organ metastases at baseline, extrahepatic disease progression occurred in 50 patients (19.1%). No statistically significant difference in survival was observed between patients without extrahepatic progression and those with new extrahepatic disease during treatment (14.8 vs. 14.9 months; p = 0.6483). Development of new pulmonary metastases during treatment significantly shortened median survival (7.6 vs. 15.0 months, p = 0.0060). Conclusions: This subanalysis of the SORAMIC trial suggests that in patients with liver-dominant advanced HCC, metastases to distant organs with the exception of pulmonary metastases do not in general exert a negative impact on patient prognosis. The choice of palliative treatment should incorporate a personalized analysis of the pattern of tumor distribution.

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Feasibility of Screening for Lynch Syndrome Among Patients With Colorectal Cancer

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2008.17.5950 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 26 (35) ◽

pp. 5783-5788 ◽

Cited By ~ 512

Author(s):

Heather Hampel ◽

Wendy L. Frankel ◽

Edward Martin ◽

Mark Arnold ◽

Karamjit Khanduja ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Colorectal Cancer ◽

Lynch Syndrome ◽

Mismatch Repair ◽

Cancer Surveillance ◽

Study Cohort ◽

Entire Study ◽

Gene Testing ◽

Revised Bethesda Guidelines ◽

Repair Genes ◽

Entire Study Cohort

Purpose Identifying individuals with Lynch syndrome (LS) is highly beneficial. However, it is unclear whether microsatellite instability (MSI) or immunohistochemistry (IHC) should be used as the screening test and whether screening should target all patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) or those in high-risk subgroups. Patients and Methods MSI testing and IHC for the four mismatch repair proteins was performed on 500 tumors from unselected patients with CRC. If either MSI or IHC was abnormal, complete mutation analysis for the mismatch repair genes was performed. Results Among the 500 patients, 18 patients (3.6%) had LS. All 18 patients detected with LS (100%) had MSI-high tumors; 17 (94%) of 18 patients with LS were correctly predicted by IHC. Of the 18 probands, only eight patients (44%) were diagnosed at age younger than 50 years, and only 13 patients (72%) met the revised Bethesda guidelines. When these results were added to data on 1,066 previously studied patients, the entire study cohort (N = 1,566) showed an overall prevalence of 44 of 1,566 patients (2.8%; 95% CI, 2.1% to 3.8%) for LS. For each proband, on average, three additional family members carried MMR mutations. Conclusion One of every 35 patients with CRC has LS, and each has at least three relatives with LS; all of whom can benefit from increased cancer surveillance. For screening, IHC is almost equally sensitive as MSI, but IHC is more readily available and helps to direct gene testing. Limiting tumor analysis to patients who fulfill Bethesda criteria would fail to identify 28% (or one in four) cases of LS.

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A Study to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Webinar on Knowledge Regarding the Strategies to Prevent Covid 19 among Nursing Students of SIIHS, Honavar, Uttara Kannada

Journal of Community and Social Health Nursing ◽

10.46610/jcshn.2021.v03i02.005 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 3 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Sagaya Arockiya Mary. A ◽

Susai Mari.A ◽

Wincy. C ◽

Thirumurugan. M ◽

Verginia Dsouza ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nursing Students ◽

Student Nurses ◽

Sampling Technique ◽

Knowledge Score ◽

P Value ◽

Sufficient Information ◽

Knowledge Level ◽

Chi Square ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Post Test

Background: The one virus stumbled the whole universe is the novel corona virus and impacted physical, emotional and social health status of almost every individual in the world irrespectively. Since the existence of Covid-19 till now it is been noticed that student nurses also affected by this fatal viral infection during their clinical practice. Objectives: The study focused on evaluating the effectiveness of webinar on knowledge regarding the strategies to prevent Covid -19 among student nurses of SIIHS, Honavar, Uttara Kannada. The study aimed at enhancing the knowledge level and influences others through effective health teaching at clinical areas and even in community settings. Methodology: An evaluative approach with pre- experimental, non-randomized, one group pre and post-test research design was adapted. The sample size was 294, purposive sampling technique was adapted. Data collected through testmoz web page and webinar was conducted by google meet app for one week. Data analysed by descriptive and statistical methods (chi-square and z-test) and interpreted by graphs. Results: The findings show that in pre-test 10(3.41%) had poor, 127(43.19%) had average, 157(53.40%) Good and 00% excellent knowledge level whereas in post-test 00% had Poor, 59(20.06%) Average, 176(59.86%) Good and 59 (20.06%) had excellent knowledge level. The pre-test mean score was 23.1 (46.2 %.) and of post-test was 35.6 (71.2%). The computed z’-test value showing significant difference in the pre (x?1=23.1) and post-test (x?2=35.6) knowledge score (p=1.18357, < z= -5.1679, critical z score=-1.6449 ? =0.05 level of significance). Hence the p value is greater than the z value (p(x?Z) = 1.18357e-7), it indicates the webinar was effective and the null hypothesis (H0) is rejected. Conclusion: The study was concluded as the webinar was highly effective and influenced the participant to gain sufficient information on prevention and the spread of Covid 19. Hopefully this enables them to apply

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The Frequent Adiponutrin (PNPLA3) Variant p.Ile148Met Is Associated with Early Liver Injury: Analysis of a German Pediatric Cohort

Gastroenterology Research and Practice ◽

10.1155/2015/205079 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2015 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Marcin Krawczyk ◽

Roman Liebe ◽

Ina B. Maier ◽

Anna Janina Engstler ◽

Frank Lammert ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Liver Injury ◽

Serum Glucose ◽

Normal Weight ◽

Study Cohort ◽

Overweight Children ◽

Entire Study ◽

Metabolic Traits ◽

Glucose Levels ◽

The Common ◽

German Children

Introduction.The common adiponutrin (PNPLA3) variant p.Ile148Met is associated with liver injury. Here, we investigate the association of this polymorphism with hepatic and metabolic traits in a pediatric cohort.Patients and Methods.The study cohort comprised 142 German children (age 5–9 years, 98 overweight, 19 children with NAFLD).Results.Overweight children presented with increased serum ALT (P=0.001) and GGT (P<0.001) activities. ALT activities differed significantly (P=0.02) between carriers of differentPNPLA3genotypes in the entire study cohort, in normal weight children (P=0.02) and in children younger than 7 years (P=0.02). Carriers of the prosteatoticPNPLA3genotype p.148Met/Met displayed higher ALT activities as compared to children with the frequent genotype p.148Ile/Ile (P=0.01). The BMI was however a stronger predictor of ALT activities compared to thePNPLA3genotype (P<0.001andP=0.06, resp.). The variant was associated with increased serum glucose levels (P=0.01) and HOMA index (P=0.02) in carriers of the p.148Ile/Met genotype but did not affect other metabolic traits or the presence of NAFLD.Discussion.The frequentPNPLA3variant p.Ile148Met is associated with serum ALT activities already at a young age.

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A radiological evaluation of alveolar bone regeneration between the left and right mandibles and maxillae of the Chacma baboon

Journal of the South African Veterinary Association ◽

10.4102/jsava.v87i1.1310 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 87 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Marthinus J. Kotze ◽

Kurt-W. Bütow ◽

Steve A. Olorunju ◽

Harry F. Kotze

Keyword(s):

Healing Rate ◽

Alveolar Bone ◽

Sufficient Information ◽

Digital Radiology ◽

Grey Scale ◽

Lack Of Information ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Left And Right ◽

Maxilla And Mandible ◽

The Right

There is a lack of information in comparing the healing rate between the left and right sides of the maxilla and mandible. Osteogenesis of alveolar bone was evaluated with digital radiology by comparing differences in bone density (BD) at different time points within the left and right maxilla and mandible. Alveolar bone defects were created in five healthy Chacma baboons. Standardised x-ray images were acquired over time and the densities of the selected trauma areas were measured pre-operatively, post-operatively and at 3 and 6 weeks post-operatively. Differences in densities were statistically tested. There was no significant difference when the grey scale averages of the combined first and fourth quadrants (right side) and combined second and third quadrants (left side) were compared pre-operatively (t = 0.70), immediately post-operatively (t = 0.34), 3 weeks post-operatively (t = 0.40) and 6 weeks post-operatively (t = 0.66). There was also no significant difference between the values for the first and second quadrants (maxilla) pre-operatively (t = 0.37), immediately post-operatively (t = 0.30), 3 weeks post-operatively (t = 0.30) and 6 weeks post-operatively (t = 0.38); the third and fourth quadrants (mandible) were also not significantly different pre-operatively (t = 0.29), immediately post-operatively (t = 0.69), 3 weeks post-operatively (t = 0.07) and 6 weeks postoperatively (t = 0.06). However, the results showed an increased predisposition of the right side to regenerate faster than the left side and indicated sufficient information to investigate the effect of laterality and preferred side of mastication on the rate of healing and alveolar BD in the maxilla and mandible.

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