There are three new protocols on the February issue of the Cochrane Library

The first protocol

Carrasco-Labra A, Brignardello-Petersen R, Yanine N, Araya I, Rada G, Chadwick RG. Professionally-applied chemically-induced whitening of teeth in adults (Protocol). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2013, Issue 2. Art. No.: CD010379. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD010379.

 aims to

• assess the effects of tooth whitening products developed to be professionally-applied with chemical, bleaching action (in-office).
• evaluate the effects of complementary application of accelerators during bleaching therapy (heat, light or laser).

The second protocol

Chan KKW, Glenny AM, Furness S, Worthington HV. Interventions for the treatment of oral and oropharyngeal cancers: targeted therapy and immunotherapy (Protocol). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2013, Issue 2. Art. No.: CD010341. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD010341.

has the primary objectives  of  determining:-

• whether molecularly targeted therapies, in addition to surgery and/or chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy for oral cavity or oropharyngeal cancers result in increased overall survival, disease free survival, progression free survival, locoregional control and reduced recurrence.
• whether immunotherapies, in addition to surgery and/or chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy for oral cavity or oropharyngeal cancers result in increased overall survival, disease free survival, progression free survival, locoregional control and reduced recurrence.

With secondary objectives of  determining

• whether molecularly targeted therapies, in addition to surgery and/or chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy for oral cavity oropharyngeal cancers are associated with increased quality of life, harm, costs and patient satisfaction.
• whether immunotherapies, in addition to surgery and/or chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy for oral cavity or oropharyngeal cancers are associated with increased quality of life, harm, costs and patient satisfaction.

The third protocol

Kloukos D, Fudalej P, Sequeira-Byron P, Katsaros C. Maxillary distraction osteogenesis versus orthognathic surgery for cleft lip and palate patients (Protocol). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2013, Issue 2. Art. No.: CD010403. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD010403.

The main objective of this review is:-

• To provide evidence regarding the effects and long-term results of maxillary distraction osteogenesis compared to orthognathic surgery for the treatment of hypoplastic maxilla in patients with cleft lip and palate. The following aspects will be considered: soft and hard tissue changes, surgical stability/relapse, speech outcomes, velopharyngeal function, psychological adjustment and clinical morbidities.