Research Appraisals
Evidence-based critical appraisals of the latest medical research, systematically evaluated using Oxford CEBM methodology.
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Medical science monitor : international medical journal of experimental and clinical research
Systematic Review of Case Reports and Case Series Published Between 2015 and 2025 on the Use of Biomaterials for Closure of Oroantral Fistula
Oroantral fistulas (OAFs) challenge the clinical decision-making of oral surgeons, requiring selection of an effective biomaterial for successful closure. This systematic review aims to evaluate recent biomaterials and techniques for closing oroantral fistulas, as reported in case reports and series. The goal of this review was to assess how different biomaterials affect the clinical closure of OAFs and oroantral communication. This systematic review followed PRISMA guidelines. Multiple scientific databases (Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library) were comprehensively searched using relevant MeSH terms and Boolean operators. Inclusion criteria were case series, reports, and presentations using biomaterials for OAF closure published between 2015 and 2025, with visibly defined outcomes. Reviews, animal studies, and case series and reports without biomaterial use were excluded. Two independent reviewers performed title/abstract and full-text screening. Data extraction included patient demographics, OAF characteristics, biomaterials used, and outcomes. Narrative synthesis was performed after assessing quality using the Joanna Briggs Institute tool. The final assessment of 189 records yielded 18 eligible studies, having patients (age range 20-77 years) with varied etiologies, such as infections and extraction, OAF dimensions, and follow-up periods (9 days to 13 months). Commonly used biomaterials included platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), advanced PRF, collagen membranes, and other grafts. Patient outcomes showed consistent OAF closure, symptom relief, and uneventful healing. Studies represented 12 countries. Variability in reporting OAF characteristics was noted. Diverse biomaterials are effective for OAF closure, with frequent use of PRF and advanced PRF. Consistent reporting of OAF characteristics is essential for future research and improved comparability.
17 Apr 2026
Read appraisal →Quintessence international (Berlin, Germany : 1985)
Photobiomodulation-assisted surgical wound healing at palatal donor site area: a systematic review
OBJECTIVE: The aim was to critically analyze the effects of photobiomodulation on recovery of the donor area after free gingival graft (FGG) surgery. DATA SOURCES: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science with date of access up to 7 April 2025, structured according to the PICO strategy: patients ≥ 18 years undergoing removal of FGGs from the palatal region (P), intervention with photobiomodulation at the donor site (I), compared with natural healing (C), evaluating wound healing as the primary and pain as the secondary outcome (O). A total of 668 records were identified and 8 randomized clinical trials, in which 284 participants were included. In outcomes, clinical healing parameters and patient-reported pain were analyzed, in which the majority of studies demonstrated that photobiomodulation positively influenced epithelialization, reduction in wound area, and tissue color during the first two postoperative weeks. However, the effect on pain control was inconsistent among studies, with only two showing statistically significant reductions. The studies included demonstrated clinical and methodologic heterogeneity due to different laser parameters, and their designs made statistical pooling of data unfeasible for a meta-analysis. CONCLUSION: Photobiomodulation appears to be a promising adjunctive therapy to accelerate palatal wound healing after FGG, particularly in the early postoperative period. Nevertheless, the clinical benefit in pain management remains uncertain. Future well-designed studies with standardized protocols are needed to strengthen contemporary evidence. (Quintessence Int 2026;57:230-241; doi: 10.3290/j.qi.b6762754).
5 Apr 2026
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