Le Fort I osteotomy in cleft patients: Maxillary advancement and velopharyngeal function

BackgroundMaxillary advancement may affect speech in cleft patients.AimsTo evaluate whether the amount of maxillary advancement in Le Fort I osteotomy affects velopharyngeal function (VPF) in cleft patients.MethodsNinety-three non-syndromic cleft patients (51 females, 42 males) were evaluated retrospectively. All patients had undergone a Le Fort I or bimaxillary (n = 24) osteotomy at Helsinki Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Center.Preoperative and postoperative lateral cephalometric radiographs were digitized to measure the amount of maxillary advancement. Pre- and postoperative speech was assessed perceptually and instrumentally by experienced speech therapists. Student's t-test and Mann–Whitney's U-test were used in the statistical analyses. Kappa statistics were calculated to assess reliability.ResultsThe mean advancement of A point was 4.0 mm horizontally (range: −2.8–11.3) and 3.9 mm vertically (range −14.2–3.9). Although there was a negative change in VPF, the amount of maxillary horizontal or vertical movement did not significantly influence the VPF. There was no difference between the patients with maxillary and bimaxillary osteotomy.ConclusionsThe amount of maxillary advancement does not affect the velopharyngeal function in cleft patients.     

Associations between dental occlusion and misarticulations of Finnish dental consonants in cleft lip/palate children

The purpose of this study was to examine whether malocclusions in terms of crossbites, large maxillary overjet, and deep bite are related to the articulatory problems with the Finnish dental consonants /r/, /s/ and /l/ in different cleft types and gender. The subjects were 260 (108 girls, 152 boys) 6-yr-old Finnish-speaking non-syndromic children with isolated cleft palate (CP, n = 79), cleft lip/alveolus (CL(A), n = 76), unilateral (UCLP, n = 78), and bilateral (BCLP, n = 27) cleft lip and palate. Occlusal anomalies were evaluated from dental plaster casts, and speech was analyzed by two speech pathologists with a high reliability. Altogether, 43% of patients misarticulated at least one of the studied sounds, and had crossbites significantly more often (73%) than subjects with correct /r/, /s/ and /l/ production (45%). Posterior crossbites were significantly associated with defective articulation, whereas anterior crossbite alone, large maxillary overjet, or deep bite were not. It was concluded that occlusal abnormalities in terms of posterior crossbites should be considered as a risk factor for correct dental consonant articulation in cleft-affected subjects.     

Evaluation of dehiscence and fenestration in adolescent patients affected by unilateral cleft lip and palate: A retrospective cone beam computed tomography study

Objective:To evaluate the presence of dehiscence and fenestration defects around anterior teeth in the cleft region and to compare these findings with the noncleft side in the same patients using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT).Materials and Methods:CBCT scans of 44 patients (26 males, 18 females; mean age, 14.04 ± 3.81 years) with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) were assessed to define dehiscences and fenestrations of the anterior teeth in both cleft and noncleft sides of the UCLP patients and a control group of noncleft patients (51 patients; 21 males, 30 females; mean age, 14.52 ± 1.16 years). Data were analyzed using Pearson’s χ² and Student’s t-test.Results:The prevalence of dehiscences at the maxillary central incisors, lateral incisors, and canines teeth were 43.2%, 70.6%, and 34.1% on the cleft side and 22.7%, 53.1%, and 27.3% on the noncleft side of UCLP patients, and 13.7%, 7.8%, and 13.7% in controls, respectively (statistically no difference between the sides of cleft patients). The cleft patients had a statistically significantly higher prevalence of dehiscences than did the controls on both the cleft and noncleft sides (P < .05), except for the maxillary central incisors. Fenestrations for these teeth were significantly more common on the cleft side in UCLP patients compared with controls (P < .05), whereas the difference for maxillary lateral incisors was not statistically significant.Conclusions:Patients with UCLP showed a higher prevalence of dehiscence and fenestration defects around the maxillary anterior teeth.     

Three-dimensional nasal septum and maxillary changes following rapid maxillary expansion in patients with cleft lip and palate:: A case-series analysis

ObjectivesTo determine the three-dimensional changes of the nasal septum (NS), alveolar width, alveolar cleft volume, and maxillary basal bone following rapid maxillary expansion (RME) in consecutive patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP).Materials and MethodsA retrospective investigation was conducted based on the analysis of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) data of 40 consecutive patients with UCLP (mean age 11.1 ± 2.2 years). Scans were acquired prior to RME (T0) and after removal of the expander (T1) before graft surgery. A three-dimensional analysis of the effects of RME on the nasal septum, alveolar width, alveolar cleft volume, and maxillary basal bone was performed.ResultsNo changes in the NS deviation were observed following RME (P > .05). Significant increases of the alveolar transverse dimension were found in the anterior (14.2%; P < .001) and posterior (7.7%; P < .001) regions as well as in the volume of the alveolar cleft (19.6%; P < .001). No changes in the basal bone dimensions and morphology were observed (P > .05).ConclusionsFollowing RME, no changes were observed in the NS and maxillary basal bones of patients with UCLP despite the significant gain in the anterior and posterior alveolar width and the increase of the alveolar cleft defect. Clinicians should be aware that maxillary changes following RME in patients with UCLP are restricted to the dentoalveolar region.     

腭裂裂隙与代偿性不良构音习惯相关性初步研究

目的研究腭裂裂隙面积与腭裂患者代偿性不良构音习惯间的相关性。方法测定17例腭裂患者的腭部和裂隙面积，计算裂隙的面积比；运用声学软件测定5个元音／a/、／i／、／o/、／e／、／u／的第一（F1）、第二（F2）、第三（F3）共振峰值。结果裂隙面积比与术前元音／e／的F1、F2、F3回归分析有显著意义，而且术前元音／e／的F1值与裂隙面积比呈正相关。元音／a／、／i／、／0／、／e／、／u／术前与术后各自的F1、F2、F3比较，均无显著性差异。结论裂隙面积比越大，患者的不良发音习惯越严重，治疗中需注重纠正多年来形成的不良发音习惯才能达到较好的语音改善效果。     

Long-term skeletal stability after maxillary advancement with distraction osteogenesis in cleft lip and palate patients: A systematic review

Objective:To systematically review the long-term skeletal stability after maxillary advancement with distraction osteogenesis (DO) in cleft lip and palate (CLP) patients.Materials and Methods:Electronic databases, grey literature, and reference list searches were conducted. The inclusion criteria were stability of maxillary advancement with distraction osteogenesis assessed at the posttreatment follow-up ≥ 1 year in CLP patients. Full articles were retrieved from abstracts or titles that appear to meet the inclusion criteria or lacked sufficient detail for immediate exclusion. Once full articles were collected, they were again reviewed considering more detailed inclusion criteria for a final selection decision. A methodologic quality assessment tool was utilized.Results:Thirty abstracts/titles met the initial search criteria, and 13 articles were finally selected. Overall, methodologic quality scores were high in only one randomized clinical trial. After maxillary advancement with DO in CLP patients, the long-term horizontal relapse in A-point was less than 15% in eight studies and between 20% and 25% in four studies. The study that was judged as a high-quality study reported 8.2% horizontal relapse in A-point. The relapse rate was higher in DO with external distracter device than DO with internal distracter device.Conclusions:Current evidence suggests maxillary advancement with DO has good stability in CLP patients with moderate and severe maxillary hypoplasia.     

河南地区腭裂术后患者病理性语音特点探讨

目的 通过对河南地区腭裂术后患者与舌位关系密切的异常语音构音特点及元音共振峰值的分析,揭示河南地区腭裂术后患者病理性语音的声学特点。方法 采集100份正常语音样本（正常语音组）及121份腭裂术后患者的语音样本（腭裂语音组）,根据录音资料得出患者的异常构音情况,经计算机语音工作站（computer speech lab,CSL）对2组语音样本的6个元音（a、o、e、i、u和ü）的前3个共振峰频率值（F1、F2、F3）进行测量分析,采用SPSS17.0软件包对数据进行两独立样本t检验。结果 腭裂语音组的异常语音出现率按构音点分别为舌尖前音占21.9%,舌尖中音占5.2%,舌尖后音占21.6%,舌面音占19.2%,舌根音占12.9%,舌前背音占6.6%;正常语音组与腭裂语音组在元音/a、o、e、u/的第二共振峰（F2）数值统计上,差异均无显著性（P>0.05）。2组在元音/i、ü/的第二共振峰（F2）差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。2组在元音/a、o、e、i、u/的第一共振峰（F1）的差异均无统计学意义（P>0.05）。2组在除元音o外,第三共振峰（F3）差异均有显著性（P<0.05）。结论 河南地区腭裂术后异常语音患者的异常音,主要出现在辅音中的舌尖前音、舌尖后音及舌面音;河南地区腭裂术后腭咽闭合不全患者发音时与正常人相比,开口度方面无明显异常,主要是软腭上抬不足、舌尖上翘过高、r化音过重。     

Sommerlad–Furlow modified palatoplasty: A retrospective study

The purpose of this study was to introduce the surgical process of Sommerlad–Furlow modified (S–F) palatoplasty and compare its surgical and functional outcomes with conventional Sommerlad (S) palatoplasty.Patients with non-syndromic cleft palate who had undergone either S–F palatoplasty or S palatoplasty were retrospectively reviewed. Data on the outcomes of velopharyngeal function and postsurgical palatal fistula incidence were collected for all patients. Data for preselected factors, including gender, age at palatoplasty, and cleft type, were also collected. Chi-square tests were conducted.1254 patients were included. The postsurgical velopharyngeal competence (VPC) rate after S–F palatoplasty was significantly higher than after S palatoplasty (total, 70.5% vs 57.9%, p < 0.0001; age ≤ 1, 87.0% vs 69.2%, p < 0.0001; 1 < age ≤ 2, 78.3% vs 69.3%, p = 0.0479). With regard to different types of cleft palate, the postsurgical VPC rates after S–F palatoplasty were all significantly higher than for S palatoplasty in all patients younger than 2 years of age (complete cleft palate, 78.7% vs 62.4%, p = 0.0016; hard and soft palate cleft, 84.4% vs 74.8%, p = 0.0172; submucosal cleft and soft palate cleft, 96.6% vs 68.4%, p = 0.0114). The postoperative fistula rate after S–F palatoplasty was 4.3%.This modified palatoplasty technique provided adequate cleft palate closure, with satisfactory speech outcomes and low fistula rates, while older age at palatoplasty may affect the postsurgical outcomes. Within the limitations of the study it seems that the Sommerlad–Furlow modified technique is an option for cleft palate repair.     

The influence of the extend of isolated palatal cleft on craniofacial morphology

PurposeThe aim of this study was to determine what influence that extent of cleft may have on craniofacial morphology in children with a cleft palate by retrospectively comparing craniofacial morphologies in age-matched prepubertal children.Materials and methodsUsing a retrospective study design, we compared the craniofacial morphology cephalometrically, of 14 Japanese girls at age 9 years with a cleft soft palate (Group_CSP), with 13 age-matched Japanese girls with cleft soft and hard palate, not extending as far as the incisive foramen (Group_CPNIF), and 12 age-matched Japanese girls with cleft soft and hard palate, extending as far as the incisive foramen (Group_CPIF), living in the same region (Hokkaido, Japan). None of them had received dentofacial orthopaedic treatment. P < .05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsIn Group_CPNIF, the maxilla was significantly short (P < .05), the anterior parts of the maxilla being retruded (P < .05), compared with Group_CSP and, compared with Group_CPNIF, in Group_CPIF, anterior part of the maxilla was positioned posteriorly (P < .05), the maxillary body was significantly smaller (P < .01).ConclusionsThis study suggests that in prepubertal children, as the congenital defect in the tissue of the palate extended, the shortness in the anteroposterior maxillary length, accompanying anterior part of the maxilla in posterior position, was more marked.     

BMP2 and BMP4 variations and risk of non-syndromic cleft lip and palate

ObjectiveNon-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/P) is one of the most common congenital anomalies and arises from the interaction of environmental and genetic factors. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between the BMP2 (bone morphogenetic protein 2) and BMP4 (bone morphogenetic protein 4) polymorphisms with non-syndromic CL/P to clarify the potential role of these genes in the etiology of CL/P in Iranian population.DesignThe allelic and genotypic frequencies of BMP2 rs235768 A > T and BMP4 rs17563 T > C polymorphisms were determined in 107 unrelated Iranian subjects with non-syndromic CL/P and 186 control subjects using PCR and RFLP methods, and the results were compared with healthy controls. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsThe BMP2 rs235768 AT genotype was significantly higher (P = 0.009, OR = 3, 95% CI = 1.3–7.0) in the CL/P (59.8%) than the control group (33.3%). Similarly, the BMP4 rs17563 TC genotype were significantly higher (P = 0.008, OR = 3.7, 95% CI = 1.4–9.9) in the CL/P (70.0%) than the control group (44.6%).ConclusionThe BMP2 rs235768 A > T and BMP4 rs17563 T > C polymorphisms could be considered as the risk factor for non-syndromic CL/P in Iranian population.     

Relapse-related factors of Le Fort I osteotomy in cleft lip and palate patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

A systematic review search was based on the PICOS approach, as follows: population: cleft lip and palate patients; intervention: Le Fort I osteotomy; comparator: different surgical protocols; outcome: stability, recurrence or surgical complications; study designs: only case reports were excluded from the review. No restrictions were placed on language or year of publication. Risk of bias was analyzed, heterogeneity was assessed, and subgroup analysis was performed using a level of significance of 1% (p = 0.01).The search identified 248 citations, from which 29 studies were selected and a total of 797 patients enrolled. The level of agreement between the authors was considered excellent (k = 0.810 for study selection and k = 0.941 for study eligibility). Our results reported a mean maxillary advancement of 5.69 mm, a mean vertical downward/upward of 2.85/−2.02 mm and a mean clockwise rotation of 4.15°. Greater surgical relapse rates were reported for vertical downward movement (−1.13 mm, 39.6%), followed by clockwise rotation (−1.41°, 33.9%), sagittal (−0.99 mm, 17.4%) and vertical upward (0.11 mm, 5.4%) movements. No relevance was found regarding the type of cleft, the type of Le Fort I osteotomy, concomitant bone grafting, surgical overcorrection, postoperative rigid or elastic intermaxillary fixation, or retention splint.Study limitations were heterogeneity and the low number of high-quality studies. In spite of reported high relapse rates, Le Fort I osteotomy for maxillary reposition is the first-choice procedure for selected cleft lip and palate patients in whom extensive maxillary movements are not required, because of its safety and its three-dimensional movement versatility in one-step surgery. Otherwise, distraction osteogenesis should be considered as the gold standard treatment.     

Calvarial periosteal graft for second-stage cleft palate surgery: A preliminary report

ObjectiveThe objectives of cleft palate surgery are to achieve optimal outcomes regarding speech development, hearing, maxillary arch development and facial skull growth. Early two-stage cleft palate repair has been the most recent protocol of choice to achieve good maxillary arch growth without compromising speech development. Hard palate closure occurs within one year of soft palate surgery. However, in some cases the residual hard palate cleft width is larger than 15 mm at the age of two. As previously reported, integrated speech development starts around that age and it is a challenge since we know that early mobilization of the mucoperiosteum interferes with normal facial growth on the long-term. In children with large residual hard palate clefts at the age 2, we report the use of calvarial periosteal grafts to close the cleft.Material and methodsWith a retrospective 6-year study (2006–2012) we first analyzed the outcomes regarding impermeability of hard palate closure on 45 patients who at the age of two presented a residual cleft of the hard palate larger than 15 mm and benefited from a periosteal graft. We then studied the maxillary growth in these children. In order to compare long-term results, we included 14 patients (age range: 8–20) treated between 1994 & 2006. Two analyses were conducted, the first one on dental casts from birth to the age of 6 and the other one based on lateral cephalograms following Delaire's principles and TRIDIM software.ResultsAfter the systematic cephalometric analysis of 14 patients, we found no evidence of retrognathia or Class 3 dental malocclusion. In the population of 45 children who benefited from calvarial periosteal grafts the rate of palate fistula was 17% vs. 10% in the overall series.ConclusionDespite major advances in understanding cleft defects, the issues of timing and choice of the surgical procedure remain widely debated. In second-stage surgery for hard palate closure, using a calvarial periosteal graft could be the solution for large residual clefts without compromising adequate speech development by encouraging proper maxillary arch growth.     

Long-term speech outcome in patients with Robin sequence after cleft palate repair and tongue-lip adhesion: A 21-year retrospective analysis

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of tongue−lip adhesion (TLA) on the long-term speech and articulation outcomes of patients with Robin sequence (RS) after cleft palate repair. Outcomes were compared to those in patients with RS who required positioning alone and to patients with isolated cleft palate (ICP).All consecutive patients with RS (with or without TLA) versus isolated cleft palate (ICP) who underwent cleft palate repair were retrospectively reviewed. Speech and articulation included all assessments between the age of 3–6 years. Secondary speech operations, velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI), hypernasality, and articulation errors by cleft-type characteristics (CTC), including 4 categories (passive), non-oral, anterior-oral, and posterior-oral. A total of 41 RS patients and 61 ICP patients underwent repair with sufficient follow-up. Of them, 23 patients underwent a TLA at median age of 12 days. Rates of hypernasality (p = 0.004), secondary speech operations (p = 0.004), and posterior oral CTC (p = 0.042) were higher in RS compared to ICP. Isolated RS had speech outcomes similar to those of ICP; however, syndromic RS patients needed more secondary speech operations compared to isolated RS (p = 0.043). TLA-RS patients did not demonstrate differences in speech outcomes or any CTCs (all p > 0.05) compared to non−TLA-RS patients, except for the anterior oral CTC (74% TLA-RS vs 28% non−TLA-RS, p = 0.005).Within the limitations of the study, it seem that TLA does not affect long-term velopharyngeal function in patients with RS. However, TLA-RS patients demonstrated higher rates of anterior-oral CTC, which might be related to a different positioning of the tongue after TLA. Every effort should be taken to treat patients with RS conservatively instead of with TLA because of this demonstrated a negative effect on one type of articulation error. However, if conservative therapy fails, a TLA is still a valuable adjunct in the treatment of RS, and cleft speech pathologists who treat such patients should be more aware of this phenomenon in order to improve long-term articulation outcomes.     

Non-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate in Asian populations: Association analysis on three gene polymorphisms of the folate pathway

ObjectiveOrofacial clefts (OFCs) are one of the most common birth defects in humans. They are the subject of a number of investigations aimed at elucidating the bases of their complex mode of inheritance involving both genetic and environmental factors. Genes belonging to the folate pathway have been among the most studied. The aim of the investigation was to replicate previous studies reporting evidence of association between polymorphisms of folate related genes and the occurrence of non-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCL/P), using three independent samples of different ancestry: from Tibet, Bangladesh and Iran, respectively.DesignSpecifically, the polymorphisms rs1801133 of MTHFR, rs1801198 of TCN2, and rs4920037 of CBS, were tested.ResultsA decreased risk of NSCL/P was observed in patients presenting the C677T variant at MTHFR gene (relative risk for heterozygotes = 0.53; 95% confidence interval [C.I.] = 0.32–0.87). The investigated polymorphisms mapping at TCN2 and CBS genes did not provide any evidence of association.ConclusionOverall, these results indicate that NSCL/P risk factors differ among populations and confirm the importance of testing putative susceptibility variants in different genetic backgrounds.     

Perceptual and videofluoroscopic analyses of relation between backed articulation and velopharyngeal closure following cleft palate repair

PurposePerceptual and videofluoroscopic (VF) analyses were performed to analyze velopharyngeal (VP) closure motions and tongue backing movement in subjects with postalveolar, palatal, and velar backed articulation (BA).Materials and methodsFor perceptual analysis, the timing of the appearance of BA and the VP closure level of 22 children with BA following palatal repair were compared to those of 17 subjects with normal articulation, 17 subjects with lateral articulation, and 11 subjects with glottal stop. For VF analysis, 16 subjects with BA and two healthy adult males as references were enrolled. On VF images, the proportions of the time required to complete VP closure and the duration of articulation (VPC/DA) were recorded and then analyzed based on the various degrees of tongue backing movement.ResultsThe appearance of BA was recognized just after the acquisition of VP closure, and it was later than that of glottal stop and earlier than lateral articulation. On VF images, VP closure was achieved before tongue movement in healthy individuals, but after tongue movement in BA subjects. VPC/DA on articulation of both /ta/ and /sa/ were significantly smaller for healthy individuals than for BA subjects (P < 0.05). The timing of the complete VP closure approached that of articulation when the site of articulation shifted posteriorly (P < 0.01).ConclusionsBA may result from precedent tongue backing movement before the completion of VP closure, as a process that may assist the VP closure motion for articulation.     

Results of speech improvement following simultaneous push-back together with velopharyngeal flap surgery in cleft palate patients

ObjectiveVelopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) can be caused by a variety of disorders. The most common cause of VPI is the association with cleft palate. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of different surgical techniques for cleft palate patients with VPI: 1) velopharyngoplasty with an inferiorly based posterior pharyngeal flap (VPP posterior, Schönborn–Rosenthal), and 2) combination of VPP posterior and push-back operation (Dorrance).Patients and methods41 subjects (26 females, 15 males) with VPI were analysed. Hypernasality was judged subjectively and nasalance data were assessed objectively using the NasalView^® system preoperative and 6 months postoperative.ResultsSubjective analysis showed improved speech results regarding hypernasality for all OP-techniques with good results for VPP posterior and VPP posterior combined with push-back with success rates of 94.4% and 87.7%, respectively. Objective analysis showed a statistically significant reduction of nasalance for both VPP posterior and VPP posterior combined with push-back (p < 0.01). However, there were no statistically significant differences concerning measured nasalance values postoperatively between the VPP posterior and VPP posterior combined with push-back.ConclusionBased on our findings, both VPP posterior and VPP posterior combined with push-back showed good results in correction of hypernasality in cleft patients with velopharyngeal insufficiency.     

Retrognathic maxilla in individuals born with oral clefts is due to intrinsic factors and not only due to early surgical treatment

ObjectivesTo determine if the skeletal form of individuals born with oral clefts was associated with maxillary position.Materials and MethodsLateral cephalometric radiographs of 90 individuals 8 to 12 years old born with or without cleft lip and palate paired by age and sex were used. Skull base length, cranial base angle, cranial deflection angle, and maxillary skeletal length and position were studied. Also, mandibular skeletal length and position, lower anterior facial height, and dental position were defined. Individuals were divided into three groups: 30 individuals born with cleft lip and palate with Class III malocclusion (UCLP Class III), 30 individuals born with cleft lip and palate with Class I malocclusion (UCLP Class I), and 30 individuals born without cleft lip and palate with Class III malocclusion (non-cleft Class III).ResultsWhen comparing the UCLP Class III group with the UCLP Class I group, there were differences in maxillary position (P < .001) and mandibular position (P = .004) found. No differences were found when comparing the UCLP Class III group with the non-cleft Class III group.ConclusionsThere are intrinsic factors that affect craniofacial morphology of individuals born with cleft lip and palate.     

Postoperative lip and nose forms following primary bilateral cleft lip repair selecting one/two stage surgery in comparison to those of healthy children

PurposeTo analyze the short-term outcomes for the lip and nasal forms after primary treatment following our surgical strategy for bilateral cleft lip with/without palate (BCL ± P) repair selecting one- or two-stage surgery at Kagoshima University Hospital.Patients and methodsTwenty-one patients with BCL ± P were treated and followed up over 1 year (1–6 years). Patients underwent primary lip repair by one- or two-stage surgery depending on the prolabium height, medial-upward advancement of nasolabial components, and vestibular expansion using two cleft margin flaps. The postoperative lip and nasal forms were longitudinally measured using serial color photographs and were compared to those of 18 age- and sex-matched healthy Japanese children.ResultsPostoperative lip form showed the upper lip height and vermilion mucosal height were significantly increased compared with the preoperative values. The vermilion/cutaneous lip height ratio was improved to the same level as that of controls at 3 years of age. Symmetry of lip and nasal forms was successfully achieved postoperatively, but the nasal height was still smaller than that of controls.ConclusionsOur surgical management strategy for BCL ± P will provide well-balanced and symmetrical lip and nasal forms, except for the nasal height, without damaging an infant's prolabium.     

Skeletal stability in patients with clefts after large maxillary advancements using intraoral distraction

Maxillary hypoplasia is a common outcome in patients with cleft lip and palate after surgical and orthodontic interventions, and maxillary distraction osteogenesis has become a useful procedure for patients with extensive maxillary deformities. The aim of this study was to evaluate long term (two years) stability after maxillary advancement of more than 10 mm by distraction osteogenesis in cleft patients using internal devices. We organised a retrospective study on 42 patients with cleft lip and palate using cephalometric analysis before and after maxillary distraction osteogenesis and evaluated them for 24 months. Postoperative measurements showed a marked advancement with an increase of 13.3 mm and 10.8° in the length of the maxilla (Co-A) and SNA, respectively, including a shift from Angle class III to class I in dental relations. Follow-up observations showed preservation of maxillary length with a relapse of only 6.0 % (mean (SD) 0.8 (0.7) mm) and 10% relapse in SNA angle (mean (SD)1.1 (1.4) °) one year postoperatively and a negligible regression at the two years’ follow up. This large-scale study shows stable results of skeletal advancement using distraction osteogenesis, indicating safe and reliable outcomes among patients with cleft lip and palate.     

腭裂术后功能性语音障碍发音特点研究

目的为指导腭裂术后语音障碍的诊断及语音治疗。方法选择５０例腭裂术后由不良发音习惯所致的功能性语音障碍患者，进行汉语语音清晰度测试，计算各辅音误念率，找出各类辅音发音错误特点，根据各类辅音误念率特点作统计学处理以观察各类辅音错误发生率之间的关系。结果塞擦音如ｊ、ｚ、ｚｈ等的误念率最高（平均６７３％），塞音如ｂ、ｄ、ｇ、ｋ等的误念率则明显低于塞擦音（平均３９７％）。两类辅音间的误念率有明显差别（Ｐ＜０００１）。提示腭裂术后功能性语音障碍以塞擦音错误为主。结论这类患者并非二次手术的适应证，而应以语音训练为主要治疗手段。