Bone-anchored maxillary protraction in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate:: Is maxillary expansion mandatory?

ObjectivesTo assess the effectiveness of bone-anchored maxillary protraction (BAMP) in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) and whether it was enhanced when preceded by maxillary expansion.Materials and MethodsThe sample consisted of 28 growing children (9–13 years old) with UCLP and Class III malocclusion. They were divided into two equal groups. In group I, patients were treated with BAMP not preceded by maxillary expansion. In group II, patients were treated with BAMP preceded by maxillary expansion. To assess treatment changes in three dimensions, Cone-beam computed tomography images were taken 1 week after surgical placement of the miniplates (T1) and after 9 months of treatment (T2).ResultsBAMP produced forward movement of the maxilla in both groups (3.17 mm) and (3.37 mm) respectively, without significant differences between the two groups except for clockwise rotation of the palatal plane in group I (1.6⁰).ConclusionsBAMP is an effective treatment modality for correcting midface deficiency in patients with UCLP whether or not maxillary expansion was carried out.     

Soft and hard tissue changes in skeletal Class III patients treated with double-jaw orthognathic surgery—maxillary advancement and mandibular setback

The soft tissues of the facial profile may change after skeletal movement in orthognathic surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the differences and correlation between hard and soft tissues after double-jaw surgery in skeletal Class III subjects. Radiographs from the following time points were assessed using Dolphin Imaging software: preoperative (T0), 2–4 months postoperative (T1), and 6–12 months postoperative (T2). Eleven hard and soft tissue points of the facial profile were evaluated. The Student's t-test was used to assess the significance of differences between the time intervals; Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to assess the significance of correlation existing between these points; significance was set at P < 0.05. In the sample of 58 subjects, the correlation between hard and soft tissues in the mandible was greater than in the maxilla. Similarly, the correlations only between hard tissues and only between soft tissues presented a greater correlation in the mandible. The results are similar to those found in studies on single-jaw surgery for both the maxilla and the mandible. The influence of movements in hard tissues was restricted to the soft tissues of the same jaw, although there were exceptions.     

Craniofacial cephalometric morphology in six‐year‐old girls with submucous cleft palate and isolated cleft palate

Ninety‐three girls with cleft palate (53 submucous cleft palate (SMCP) and 40 isolated cleft palate (ICP)), mean age 6.2 years (range 5.5–7.5), were compared retrospectively from lateral cephalograms. Forty‐three patients with SMCP had had surgical treatment at the mean age of 3.4 years (range 0.9–6.8), 10 of the SMCP patients were unoperated. Twenty‐six patients with ICP had clefts of the hard and soft palate, and 14 had clefts of the soft palate only. Palatal closure of ICP had been done at the mean age of 1.5 years (range 1.0–2.1). The skeletal craniofacial morphology was similar in SMCP and ICP. The maxilla and mandible were well related to each other but slightly retrusive in relation to the cranial base. The slight skeletal retrusion was significantly more masked by soft tissue in patients with SMCP. The patients with SMCP showed higher values for soft tissue maxillary and mandibular prominence.     

What is the relapse after Le Fort I maxillary advancement in cleft lip and palate patients? A systematic review

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery - Le Fort I osteotomy is the most common procedure for maxillary advancement in cleft patients, and a significant relapse is expected in the postoperative period....     

Occlusal relationship in patients with bilateral cleft lip and palate during the mixed dentition stage: does neonatal maxillary arch configuration predetermine outcome?

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether there is any correlation between initial maxillary arch dysmorphology patterns in complete bilateral cleft lip/palate (BCLP) and the subsequent occlusal relationship in early mixed dentition. DESIGN: This retrospective study evaluated 41 consecutive patients with complete BCLP who were managed by a single tertiary cleft team between 1983 and 1992. All patients had bilateral synchronous lip adhesions with placement of a passive alveolar molding appliance at 4 to 8 weeks of age; definitive modified Manchester lip repair at 6 to 8 months of age; and a one-stage "two-flap" palatoplasty at 14 months of age. Neither gingivoperiosteoplasty nor early alveolar bone grafting was performed. Four patients required early surgical premaxillary setback because of adverse social reactions to a very protrusive premaxilla. All patients (7 to 9 years) were assessed prior to initiation of first-phase orthodontics (maxillary expansion) in anticipation of alveolar bone grafting. Cleft team records were reviewed to determine initial maxillary arch dysmorphology, treatment, and occlusal relationships in early mixed dentition stage. The initial maxillary dysmorphology was classified using a new grouping based on orientation of the vomer, the intercanine distance, and its symmetry. Patterns of mixed dentition occlusion were then compared with group type, and predication tables were generated. Because midface retrusion is the major dentoskeletal morbidity in cleft patients, angle Class I and II occlusions were designated as "favorable" and Class III as "unfavorable." RESULTS: In early mixed dentition, approximately three-fourths of patients with complete BCLP had favorable occlusion and one-fourth unfavorable occlusion. The occlusal status seemed unrelated to the initial maxillary arch dysmorphology, the use of early passive alveolar molding appliance, or surgical premaxillary setback. CONCLUSION: Patterns of variation within the initial dysmorphology of the maxillary arch in infants with complete BCLP cannot be used to predetermine subsequent molar occlusal relationships in the mixed dentition.     

Early or delayed palatoplasty in complete unilateral cleft lip and palate patients? A systematic review of the effects on maxillary growth

The aim of this study was to review the effects of early and late hard palate repair on maxillary growth. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, LILACS, Cochrane Library CENTRAL databases, OpenGrey, Google Scholar, and Clinical Trials were searched using a PICO strategy, with terms related to unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) and timing of repair. Methodological quality evaluation was carried out using the Fowkes and Fulton guidelines, and quality (or certainty) of evidence and strength of recommendations were evaluated using GRADE (grading of recommendations, assessment, development and evaluation). Five retrospective and non-randomized studies were included in the study. Folkes and Fulton assessment showed a high risk of bias in all articles and very low levels of certainty (GRADE). The results showed conflicting findings for comparisons of the effects of timing of repair of hard palate in UCLP. Two studies presented better maxillary growth in a group operated on later (18 months after birth), two presented no differences between the results, and another presented better results in the group operated on earlier than 18 months of age. At this point, it cannot be proven or refuted that postponing hard palate surgery brings benefits for maxillary growth. Studies included in this review did not show similar conclusions. Randomized clinical trials present some ethical issues that make them difficult to perform.     

Analysis of velopharyngeal function and speech outcomes of Sommerlad palatoplasty combined with sphincter pharyngoplasty in surgical repair of older patients with cleft palate：experience from a major craniofacial surgery centre in eastern China

We aimed to evaluate velopharyngeal function and speech outcomes of Sommerlad palatoplasty combined with sphincter pharyngoplasty in surgical repair of cleft palate in patients over five years old. Fifty-eight patients were reviewed between the years 2013 and 2017, 31 of whom were treated with Sommerlad palatoplasty combined with sphincter pharyngoplasty, (mean age 15 (range 9 - 22) years), and 27 were treated with Sommerlad palatoplasty alone (mean age 18 (range 10-25) years). Velopharyngeal function was evaluated by radiographic lateral cephalometry and nasoendoscopy. Hypernasality, nasal emissions, and intelligibility were used to assess speech. The rate of velopharyngeal competence was 20/31 in the palatoplasty plus pharyngoplasty group and 7/27 in the palatoplasty alone group after surgical treatment (p = 0.003). The improvements in hypernasality (p = 0.024), air emission (p = 0.004), and speech intelligibility (p = 0.004) in the palatoplasty plus pharyngoplasty group was better than that in the palatoplasty alone group. It has been suggested that the surgical approach with the palatoplasty together with the sphincter pharyngoplasty has a higher rate of success in surgical repair of older patients with cleft palate.     

Changes in growth and morphology of the condyle following mandibular distraction in minipigs: overloading or underloading?

OBJECTIVE: Loading of temporomandibular tissues during mandibular distraction may cause changes in condylar growth and cartilage thickness. This study examines the effects of distraction on the condyle in a large animal model by explicitly measuring growth and in vivo loading. DESIGN: Unilateral mandibular distraction was carried out on 20 growing minipigs divided into three groups. One group underwent distraction but not consolidation, whereas the other two groups were allowed a period of consolidation of either 1 or 2 weeks. Animals received fluorochrome and 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) labelling and masticatory strain was measured from the condylar neck. Condylar strain was also recorded in an age-matched sample of eight animals that received no distraction surgery. Immunohistochemical procedures were used to identify dividing prechondroblasts and histological analysis was used to measure mineral apposition rate, count dividing cells, and measure the thickness of condylar cartilage. RESULTS: Strain magnitude, particularly compressive strain, was much larger on the non-distraction side compared to the distraction side condyle. Compared to normal loading levels, the distraction side condyle was underloaded whereas the condyle on the intact side was overloaded. Mineral apposition and cartilage thickness were greater on the distraction side condyle compared to the opposite side. Differences between the sides were most pronounced in the group with no consolidation and became progressively reduced with consolidation time. CONCLUSIONS: Increased mineralisation and cartilage thickness on the distraction side condyle are associated with reduced, not increased loading, perhaps because of disruption of the distraction side masseter muscle.     

Do you care? A national register for cleft lip and palate patients.

The Cleft Palate Index and, more recently, the Craniofacial Anomalies Register--CARE--have been in operation since 1982. This paper summarizes its development and plans for the future. CARE is a multidisciplinary committee involving all specialties involved in the treatment of this group of patients therefore it should and can be well placed to co-ordinate the cleft data arising from these patients.     

Cleft lip and palate in Madagascar 1998–2007

Our aim was to find out the prevalence of oral clefts in Madagascar, to compare it with elsewhere in the world, and to give the possible cause of the particular rate in the Vakinankaratra region where Antsirabe is situated. Data were collected from birth registers from 1998 to 2007 in the 10 most important hospitals of the 6 former provinces and of Antsirabe. A total of 150,973 consecutive live births were recorded in the 6 provinces, and 175,981 including those from Antsirabe. The general birth prevalence of oral clefts was 0.48‰ (about 1/2100, n = 150,973) which was made up of 0.23‰, 0.12‰, and 0.11‰ for cleft lip and palate, isolated cleft lip, and isolated cleft palate, respectively. Prevalence was greater on the Central Highlands than in the coastal regions. Higher prevalence rates were found among girls than boys (64.4% compared with 35.6%, p < 0.01). Of the clefts, 65.5% were unilateral, and left-sided ones were most common (77.8%). If the results obtained in Antsirabe are also considered, birth prevalence of oral clefts was 0.92‰ (about 1/1100, n = 175,981) if Antsirabe is included, and 0.41–0.50‰ in the 6 former provinces; rates of associated, or syndromic, forms, or both, were 21.9% in the 6 provinces and 26.1% in Antsirabe. Overall, the prevalence of oral clefts in Madagascar does not differ from that in the rest of the world, except for the sex difference. There was a high prevalence of oral clefts in general and associated or syndromic forms, or both, in the Vakinankaratra region. There may be a link between these results and background high doses of ionising radiation in some areas because of the presence of former uranium mines. Further research is needed to obtain more precise data.     

Complications of sevoflurane–fentanyl versus midazolam–fentanyl anesthesia in pediatric cleft lip and palate surgery: a randomized comparison study

Careful choice of anesthetic agents in pediatric patients reduces the frequency of anesthesia-related complications. The frequency and type of intraoperative and postoperative complications of sevoflurane–fentanyl versus midazolam–fentanyl anesthesia were compared in 140 consecutive children (aged 3 months to 10 years) undergoing cleft lip and palate repair. Midazolam–fentanyl anesthesia was induced with midazolam (0.05 mg/kg), fentanyl (0.005 mg/kg) and vecuronium (0.1 mg/kg), and maintained with the same agents according to the defined parametars. Sevoflurane–fentanyl anesthesia was induced and maintained with sevoflurane (5–8 vol% and 0.8–1 vol%, respectively) in an oxygen/air mixture and supplemented with fentanyl (0.005 mg/kg). Both groups were comparable in basic demographic data, hemodynamic and respiratory parameters. Difficult intubation occurred in 6 of 76 children (midazolam–fentanyl group) and 4 of 64 children (sevoflurane–fentanyl group) (P = 0.754). Ventricular extrasystole and bronchospasm occurred in one patient each in the sevoflurane–fentanyl group. Postoperatively, emergence agitation was observed in the sevoflurane–fentanyl group (17 cases; P < 0.001); postoperative nausea and vomiting occurred in 2 children (midazolam–fentanyl group) and 3 children (sevoflurane–fentanyl group) (P = 0.660). Midazolam-based anesthesia in children is safer than sevoflurane-based anesthesia regarding occurrence of emergence agitation.     

Velopharyngeal insufficiency after maxillary advancement in patients with cleft palate − a survey of risk assessment in the United Kingdom and Ireland

Patients with cleft lip and palate may require orthognathic surgery to correct severe impairments in midfacial growth. Maxillary advancement in this group, however, is linked to deterioration in velopharyngeal function (VPF), and it is not clear how cleft teams assess this risk. We therefore surveyed surgeons from 15 cleft units who provide orthognathic treatment, to gain an understanding of current practice in the UK and Ireland. A total of 16/21 surgeons from 14/15 units responded. While 14/16 surgeons agreed that these patients are at risk of a deterioration in VPF after maxillary advancement, two disagreed. Preoperative assessment of perceptual speech is required in all cases, but only 9/14 routinely did an instrumental assessment of VPF. One third of respondents thought that they could not identify “borderline” cases. There were differences in how surgeons obtained preoperative consent regarding deterioration in VPF, and whether surgical plans should be modified accordingly. There was considerable variation in current practice regarding risk, assessment, and management of potential changes in VPF after orthognathic surgery. A national forum for multidisciplinary discussion would allow for the standardisation of care across the UK and Ireland. Further study is needed to establish the effects of orthognathic surgery on VPF in this group, as well as the clinical benefits of instrumental assessments.     

Outcomes after tongue–lip adhesion or mandibular distraction osteogenesis in infants with Pierre Robin sequence and severe airway obstruction

The objective was to review and compare outcomes after tongue–lip adhesion (TLA) and mandibular distraction osteogenesis (MDO) in infants with severe breathing difficulties related to Pierre Robin sequence (PRS). A single-centre retrospective (2002–2012) study was carried out; 18 infants with severe breathing difficulties related to PRS resistant to conservative treatment, who underwent TLA or MDO to correct airway obstruction, were enrolled. The primary outcome measures were successful weaning from respiratory support and resumption of full oral feeding. Nine underwent TLA and nine MDO. Eight of the nine infants who underwent MDO and all those treated with TLA were successfully weaned from respiratory support. After discharge, residual respiratory distress was diagnosed more commonly after TLA than after MDO (6/9 vs 1/9, P = 0.050). Infants resumed oral feeding sooner after MDO than after TLA (mean days after surgery to full oral feeds 44 ± 24 vs 217 ± 134, P < 0.003). The length of hospital stay was longer for infants treated with MDO than for those treated with TLA. The rate of complications was similar. Infants with severe airway obstruction related to PRS can benefit safely from either TLA or MDO. Although MDO lengthens the time to discharge, this option stabilizes airway patency of infants with PRS more efficiently and achieves full oral feeding more rapidly than TLA.