Stem Cell Therapy’s Efficiency in Reconstructing Alveolar Clefts: A System Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Abstract

Objectives: The goal of this study was to examine the existing evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the efficacy of cell treatment in alveolar cleft (AC). Design: An electronic search was done for studies published between January 2000 and May 2024 in the PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases. Primary outcomes were the radiographic assessment of bone graft volume, and the secondary outcome of interest was the number of complications after surgery. A random-effects model and fix-effect model were employed to pool effect sizes, and heterogeneity was assessed using I2 statistics. Results: Four RCTs, comprising 51 patients, were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. No statistically significant difference in bone volume (MD [mean difference] −0.82; 95% CI [−3.59, 5.24]; p = 0.71) when using cells therapy to repair AC compared to using autologous iliac crest bone graft repair AC. Also, there is no difference in postoperative complications (MD 0.66; 95% CI [0.13, 3.39]; p = 0.62) between the two groups. In this meta-analysis, cells therapy on alveolar bone grafting produced results comparable to autologous bone grafting in new bone formation rate and complications. Conclusions: In conclusion, this systematic review and meta-analysis appear to indicate no disadvantage to utilizing cell therapy in AC reconstruction versus autologous bone grafting in terms of bone volume or complications.