Minne Ties Hybrid Arch Bar System vs. Erich Arch Bars: A Cadaveric Comparison Study
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThis study allows for a comparison between traditional Erich arch bars and a novel arch bar system, based on timing of application/removal, strength, and usability. There are now many alternatives to traditional arch bars that can be equally as effective for the purposes of mandibular fracture fixation. This article was thorough and provided many metrics of comparison. This is reasonable for publication.
Author Response
Comment- "This study allows for a comparison between traditional Erich arch bars and a novel arch bar system, based on timing of application/removal, strength, and usability. There are now many alternatives to traditional arch bars that can be equally as effective for the purposes of mandibular fracture fixation. This article was thorough and provided many metrics of comparison. This is reasonable for publication."
Response- Thank you for your consideration of our article for publication in your journal
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsNeed details of procedure how Minnie Ties hybrid arch bar system is applied
Do explain how patient perception was commented upon.
Author Response
Need details of procedure how Minnie Ties hybrid arch bar system is applied
The following technology description was added to the methods section along with pictures demonstrating the application. "The Minne Ties Hybrid Arch Bar (MTHAB) System (Fig 2) is a novel maxillomandibular fixation (MMF) technology consisting of contoured titanium arch bars secured to the dentition using circumdental Minne Ties (dental occlusion ties) rather than stainless-steel wires. Each bar includes a series of apertures for passage of the Minne Ties and cleat-shaped hooks oriented toward the
occlusal surfaces to permit attachment of elastics (or wire loops, if preferred) for MMF. The system
is designed to provide versatile MMF optionality including short-term immobilization (up to 4
weeks), or early dynamic functional therapy with guiding elastics. The system streamlines
intraoral application by eliminating wire twisting, reducing sharps exposure, and improving access
in the mouth during fixation. To apply the technology, the MTHAB bars are trimmed to length,
adapted closely to the gingival margins, and secured with Minne Ties placed through aligned
interdental embrasures (see Fig 2). Once affixed, elastics can be applied between the superior
and inferior bars to achieve maxillomandibular fixation.
Comment- "Do explain how patient perception was commented upon."
Response: Perceived patient comfort was judged by surgeons following their application of the device on cadavers. This was rated on a 5-point Likert scale. Surgeons were asked to perceive what a live patient may judge as comfort based on their experience applying the device on the cadaver. This explanation was added to the mansuscript in the results section of the surgeon selected survey "Perceived patient comfort: 100% of surgeons judged the perception of patient comfort during application with Minne Ties ≥ 4 compared with only 50% for Erich Arch Bars. This is notably “perceived comfort” given the use of cadaver specimens and not live patients."
Reviewer 3 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThe manuscript is within the scope of the journal.
The manuscript's quality and data presentation are acceptable and important for clinicians, pathologists and even patients.
The manuscript advances our understanding of maxillofacial bones and their management.
The title should be rewritten to be more precise and explanatory.
Make the abstract more informative and it should represent the article's substance and be no more than 250 words long.
Include four to six keywords that are relevant to the manuscript but not stated in the title.
Additional paragraphs to introduction about other complications of jaw lesions and disease and its managements
Suggested References:
Enezei, H.H., Khalil, A.A., Naif, T.N.. A Clinical Analysis of Surgically Managed Mandibular Fractures: Epidemiology, Clinical Profile, Patterns, Treatments, and Outcome. International Medical Journal 2020; 27(4): 1 - 4.
Care should be taken to improve resolution and contrast for each figure in the manuscript .
Authors should check for writing and typing errors.
• The statements in discussion are acceptable but few paragraphs about the justification of your findings and comparison with other recent relevant studies.
Only include current up to date references in the reference list and remove outdated ones.
Good Luck
Writers should proofread their work for typographical and writing faults.
Author Response
Thank you for your comments and consideration of our article for publication. I hope you find our revisions satisfactory.
Comment: The title should be rewritten to be more precise and explanatory.
Response: As the technology is proprietary, we cannot rename the Minne ties hybrid arch bar system. Thus, it is difficult to change the title to make it more precise or explanatory.
Comment: Make the abstract more informative and it should represent the article's substance and be no more than 250 words long.
Reponse: The abstract has been refined to summarize the substantive and salient points of the article within the 250 word limit.
Comment: Include four to six keywords that are relevant to the manuscript but not stated in the title.
Response: These have been included
Comment: Additional paragraphs to introduction about other complications of jaw lesions and disease and its managements
Response: As the need for MMF can vary across pathologies including trauma, neoplasms, diseases, we opted to keep the introduction focused on MMF technology and innovation rather than the management of specific pathologies. To this end, we included a better description of the technology and application of the device to improve the reader's understanding of the innovative aspect of the design as copied below.
"The Minne Ties Hybrid Arch Bar (MTHAB) System (Fig 2) is a novel maxillomandibular
fixation (MMF) technology consisting of contoured titanium arch bars secured to the dentition using
circumdental Minne Ties (dental occlusion ties) rather than stainless-steel wires. Each bar includes
a series of apertures for passage of the Minne Ties and cleat-shaped hooks oriented toward the
occlusal surfaces to permit attachment of elastics (or wire loops, if preferred) for MMF. The system
is designed to provide versatile MMF optionality including short-term immobilization (up to 4
weeks), or early dynamic functional therapy with guiding elastics. The system streamlines
intraoral application by eliminating wire twisting, reducing sharps exposure, and improving access
in the mouth during fixation. To apply the technology, the MTHAB bars are trimmed to length,
adapted closely to the gingival margins, and secured with Minne Ties placed through aligned
interdental embrasures (see Fig 2). Once affixed, elastics can be applied between the superior
and inferior bars to achieve maxillomandibular fixation."
Round 2
Reviewer 3 Report
Comments and Suggestions for Authors• While the claims in the discussion are fine, there should be a few paragraphs explaining how your findings are justified and how they compare to other recent, pertinent studies.
• The reference list should only contain up-to-date, current references; out-of-date ones should be eliminated.
Writers should proofread their work for typographical and writing faults.
