Results of randomized controlled trial of soft palate first versus hard palate first repair in unilateral complete cleft lip and palate.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcomes for primary repair of unilateral cleft lip and palate, operating on the soft palate first versus the hard palate first. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: The Regional Cleft Service of West Nepal. PATIENTS: Forty-seven consecutive patients with nonsyndromic unilateral cleft lip and palate, of whom 37 were assessed 4 to 6 years after completing primary surgical repair. INTERVENTIONS: Primary repair of unilateral cleft lip and palate by two differing sequences: (1) soft palate repair, with hard palate and lip repair 3 months later; and (2) lip and hard palate repair, followed by the soft palate repair 3 months later. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Analysis of dental study models, weight gain, and speech recordings. RESULTS: Four to 7 years after completing the cleft closure, there was no significant difference in facial growth between the two types of repair sequencing. Completing posterior repair first had no effect on anterior alveolar gap width. It narrowed the hard palate gap by reducing the intercanine distance. Anterior repair dramatically closed the anterior alveolar gap, and narrowed the intercanine distance. Comparing anterior alveolar gap width with age at first presentation demonstrated that there was no spontaneous narrowing of the cleft in older children. Completing posterior closure first had a weight gain advantage over anterior closure first. Improved oropharyngeal closure, and thus swallowing, is the likely explanation. CONCLUSION: Changing the sequencing of cleft closure has no demonstrable difference in facial growth at 4 to 7 years after completion of the primary surgery.     

Cephalometric and occlusal outcome in adults with unilateral cleft lip, palate, and alveolus after two different surgical techniques.

OBJECTIVE: To assess differences in the aesthetic and functional long-term results of one-stage and two-stage surgical and orthodontic treatment in patients with cleft lip, palate, and alveolus. DESIGN: Sixty adult patients who were operated on as children for unilateral cleft lip, palate, and alveolus were examined. In every patient the lip was closed using Tennison's technique. Thirty patients had soft and hard palate closure in two stages and 30 patients in a single stage. Lateral cephalometric and model analyses were conducted at a mean age of 18.4 years. RESULTS: In the model analysis, transverse narrowing was seen in all patients after two-stage operations and in three patients after one-stage operations. The deficit was more severe in the molar region in the two-stage group and nearly similar in the premolar and molar region in the one-stage group. A sagittal deficiency in the anterior maxilla was found in 26 patients after two-stage operations and in 16 patients after one-stage operations. In the lateral cephalometric analysis, the mean sella-nasion-point A angle in the one- and two-stage group was 78.2 degrees and 76.8 degrees, respectively. The ANB angle was normal in both groups. In both groups the inclination of the midface was low. There was a low posterior facial height. Minor scarring was seen in the single-stage group. CONCLUSION: A more severe impairment of growth of the maxilla in the sagittal and frontal plane was observed after two-stage operations on the cleft palate.     

A comparative study of prespeech vocalizations in two groups of toddlers with cleft palate and a noncleft group.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the prelinguistic contoid (consonant-like) inventories of 14 children with unilateral cleft lip and palate (C-UCLP) at 13 months of age. The children had received primary veloplasty at 7 months of age and closure of the hard palate was performed at 3-5 years. The results of this investigation were compared to results previously reported for 19 children with cleft palate and 19 noncleft children at the age of 13 months. The children with clefts in that study received a two-stage palatal surgery. This surgical procedure was formerly used at our center and included closure of the lip and hard palate at 3 months of age and soft palate closure at 22 months of age. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: The participants were videorecorded in their homes during play with their mothers. The videotapes were transcribed independently by three trained speech pathologists. PATIENTS: Fourteen consecutive patients born with C-UCLP and no known mental retardation or associated syndromes served as subjects. RESULTS: The children who received delayed closure of the hard palate demonstrated a significantly richer variety of contoids in their prespeech vocalizations than the cleft children in the comparison group. Both groups of subjects with clefts had significantly fewer plosives in their contoid inventory than the noncleft group, and there was no difference regarding place of articulation between the group that received delayed closure of the hard palate and the noncleft group.     

Long-term evidence for favorable midfacial growth after delayed hard palate repair in UCLP patients.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether delayed hard palate repair resulted in better midfacial growth in the long term than previously achieved with "conventional" surgical methods of palatal closure. DESIGN AND SETTING: Long-term cephalometric data from patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate were available from two Scandinavian cleft centers. The patients had been treated by different regimens, particularly regarding the method and timing of palatal surgery. Patients were analyzed retrospectively, and one investigator digitized all radiographs. PATIENTS: Thirty consecutively treated subjects from each center, with cephalograms taken at three comparable stages between 10 and 16 years of age. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Patients whose hard palates were repaired late (early soft palate closure followed by delayed hard palate repair at the stage of mixed dentition) had significantly better midfacial development than patients in whom the hard palate was operated on early with a vomer flap, and then during the second year of life, the soft palate was repaired with a push-back procedure. As the growth advantage in the delayed hard palate repair group was accomplished without impeding long-term speech development, the delayed repair regimen proved to be a good alternative in surgical treatment of patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate.     

A comparison of growth impairment and orthodontic results in adult patients with clefts of palate and unilateral clefts of lip, palate and alveolus

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare the long-term aesthetic and functional results of surgical and orthodontic treatment in patients with cleft palate and unilateral cleft lip, palate, and alveolus. DESIGN: 30 patients with unilateral cleft lip, palate, and alveolus and 30 patients with isolated cleft palate, mean age of 18.9 years, were evaluated by cephalometric and model analysis a mean of 1.5 years after orthodontic treatment. In each group the surgical treatment has been similar. RESULTS: Model analysis: The sum of every mesiodistal tooth diameter in the maxilla and in the mandible was recorded according to the Bolton analysis. Twenty patients with unilateral cleft lip, palate and alveolus had relatively large upper dental arches and nine had relatively large lower dental arches. Twenty-two patients with cleft palates had large upper dental arches and seven had large mandibular arches. Eleven patients with unilateral cleft lip, palate, and alveolus and 18 patients with cleft palate had a negative space supply (the sum of the mesiodistal tooth diameters compared with the sagittal length of the alveolar ridge) in the region of the lateral teeth. All patients had persistent transverse space deficits that were increased on the side of the cleft in patients with cleft lip, palate, and alveolus. These unilateral transversal space deficits were recorded in 22 patients with unilateral cleft lip, palate, and alveolus and in 8 patients with isolated cleft palate. Sagittal measurements were reduced in 26 patients with unilateral cleft lip, palate, and alveolus and in 23 patients with cleft palate alone. The alveolar midline of the maxilla and the mandible were displaced in 25 patients with unilateral cleft lip, palate, and alveolus and in 19 patients with isolated cleft palate. Lateral cephalometric analysis: The lateral cephalograms taken at the same time as the models showed a mean SNA of 76.8 degrees and a NL-NSL angle of 8.7 degrees, indications of a tendency towards maxillary retrognathia in patients with unilateral cleft lip, palate, and alveolus. Patients with cleft palate had a mean SNA of 79.6 degrees and NL-NSL angle of 8.1 degrees. The anterior facial vertical index was within normal limits in patients with cleft lip, palate, and alveolus (44% vs 56%). An anterior facial height index of 42% compared with 58% in patients with isolated cleft palate indicated a slight reduction in midface height with an increase in the lower face as a consequence. CONCLUSION: Orthodontic and surgical treatment can result in satisfactory results on model analysis. However, there is specific growth impairment of the maxilla 1.5 years after termination of orthodontic treatment and this influences the final cephalometric analysis, particularly in patients with cleft lip, palate, and alveolus.     

Dentocraniofacial morphology of 21 patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate: a cephalometric study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the skeletal and dental craniofacial proportions of unilateral cleft lip and palate patients who were operated upon using the Malek technique, and compare them with a normal group to highlight the effect of surgical correction on craniofacial development during growth. DESIGN: Retrospective. METHODS: The cleft palate was closed using the Malek technique in a single operation at 3 months for 11 patients (complete closure of lip and palate) and in a two-stage operation for 10 patients (soft palate at 3 months, lip and hard palate at 6 months). Comparisons were made with a normal control group. Angular and linear measurements of anterior and posterior dimensions of the upper and lower compartments of the face were measured in the 7th and 12th years. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: No significant differences were observed between the two groups of palate technique repair, although significant differences were observed between craniofacial dimensions of normal versus cleft lip and palate patients. At a skeletal level, the maxilla and mandible were retrusive relative to the cranial base in the cleft lip and palate group. In fact, there was a backward rotation of the palatal plane with repercussions on the maxillo-mandibular complex position. Furthermore, the maxilla was shorter than in normal patients, whereas the mandible was normally shaped. The upper incisors were retroclined and they locked the lower incisors in linguoversion. There was a posterior skeletal deficit of the respiratory compartment, compensated by more marked posterior maxillary alveolar growth. Facial growth in cleft lip and palate patients followed the same pattern, but was delayed compared with normal patients.     

Mandibular morphology in complete unilateral cleft lip and palate.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare mandibular morphology and spatial position in children with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) treated at two different cleft centers (Hannover and Brussels) following different surgical treatment protocols. PATIENTS: A total of 62 Caucasian children (40 boys, 22 girls) with nonsyndromic complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) were evaluated by means of conventional cephalometric analysis at approximately the age of 10 years. Data of both cleft groups were compared with a control, noncleft group (n = 40) matched according to age and sex. INTERVENTIONS: The Hannover children with cleft (n = 36) underwent lip repair at a mean age of 5.83 +/- 1.16 months. The hard and soft palates were closed at a mean age of 29.08 +/- 4.68 and 32.25 +/- 4.29 months, respectively. The Brussels children with cleft (n = 26) were treated according to the Malek surgical protocol with soft palate repair at a mean age of 3.04 +/- 0.20 months and simultaneous lip and hard palate repair at a mean age of 6.15 +/- 0.68 months. RESULTS: Statistical analysis (analysis of variance with post hoc Tukey's test) showed a significant (p =.001) smaller mandibular ramus length (Co-Go) in the Brussels cleft group, compared with the control group. The Hannover-Brussels comparison data revealed that the S-N-B angle was significantly (p =.047) less in the Brussels cleft group. CONCLUSIONS: The influence of surgical procedures in patients with UCLP might not be restricted to the maxilla but could influence mandibular spatial position to the cranial base. Because of these positional changes of the mandible, both cleft groups showed facial balance.     

Cephalometric evaluation of long-term craniofacial development in unilateral cleft lip and palate patients treated with delayed hard palate closure

This long-term cephalometric study aimed to evaluate the craniofacial development of patients with a complete unilateral cleft lip and palate treated with a two-stage palatal closure, including delayed closure of the hard palate. Prediction models for cephalometric outcome at age 18 years were developed with the help of cephalometric values at 9 and 12 years. The objective need for surgery at age 18 was predicted from cephalometric values at age 9. Cephalograms of 43 consecutive patients with a complete unilateral cleft lip and palate were analysed at 9, 12 and 18 years. The patient group showed a retrusive craniofacial growth pattern for the maxilla and mandible, and a rather vertical growth pattern for the lower face. Using multiple linear regression, for most cephalometric variables, 40-80% of the cephalometric values at early adulthood could be explained by cephalometric values at the ages of 9 and 12 years, and gender, or by the values at age 9 only and gender. Several cephalometric variables at age 9 (s-n-ss, s-n-pg, sss-ns-sms, sss-ns-pgs) were found to be significant predictors for the need for surgery at 18. The need for surgery at age 18 was correctly predicted from age 9 for 85% of the investigated patient group.     

Craniofacial morphological outcome following treatment with three different surgical protocols for complete unilateral cleft lip and palate: a premilinary study

This study compared craniofacial morphology between three groups of children with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate, treated with different surgical protocols. The study included 66 10-year-old children (42 boys and 20 girls) with a complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (22 patients in each of the three groups). Children aged 7 months underwent one-stage surgery, performed by a single surgeon. During surgery, the soft and hard palate and the lip underwent correction. The difference between the groups depended on the hard palate closure. Group I patients had the mucoperiosteal flap elevated on both sides of the cleft. Group II patients had the mucoperiosteal flap elevated on the non-cleft side, and had only a minimal 2–3 mm mucoperiosteal flap elevated on the cleft side. Group III patients had mucoperiostium elevated from the septum vomer to create a single-layered caudally pedicled flap, and had only a minimal 2–3 mm palatal flap elevated on the cleft side. Craniofacial morphology was defined using lateral cephalometric analysis. Significant craniofacial morphological differences were identified between groups I, II and III. Group III demonstrated the most favourable morphology. This indicates that the technique of hard palate closure has significant influence on craniofacial growth and development.     

Maxillary growth controversies after two-stage palatal repair with delayed hard palate closure in unilateral cleft lip and palate patients: perspectives from literature and personal experience.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze published papers dealing with delayed hard palate repair within a two-stage palatal surgery protocol in treatment of cleft lip and palate. Timing of the procedures, methods used, as well as growth results were considered. METHOD: By utilizing this information in relation to knowledge about normal maxillary development, efforts were made to explain differences in growth outcome between different investigations. Particularly, follow-up reports of unilateral cleft lip and palate patients with records up to at least 10 years of age were studied. RESULTS: Most papers reported an excellent or very good maxillary growth outcome after their delayed hard palate closure protocols. Where unsatisfactory results were published, reasonable explanations were found accounting for why the method had failed the expectation of good maxillary growth. CONCLUSION: Based on the published reports and the experience from a cleft team where the studied protocol has been practiced since 1975, recommendation for method as well as timing for the two-stage protocol is laid out in some detail.     

Influence of early hard palate closure in unilateral and bilateral cleft lip and palate on maxillary transverse growth during the first four years of age.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare the effects of early primary closure of the hard palate on the anterior and posterior width of the maxillary arch in children with bilateral (BCLP) and unilateral (UCLP) cleft lip and palate during the first 4 years of life. DESIGN: A retrospective, mixed-longitudinal study. SETTING: Cleft Palate Center of the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The present investigation analyzes longitudinally 42 children with UCLP and 8 children with BCLP between 1996 and 2000 with early simultaneous primary closure of lip and hard palate (4 to 5 months). Palatal arch width was measured on dental casts with a computer-controlled three-dimensional digitizing system, and their growth velocities were calculated from consecutive periods (mean follow-up 39 months). Differences in growth velocities were compared with those of 25 children with UCLP and 15 children with BCLP with delayed closure of hard palate (12 to 14 months). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant difference in terms of anterior and posterior maxillary width between early and delayed closure of hard palate within the first 4 years of life.     

Sagittal growth of the facial skeleton of 6-year-old children with a complete unilateral cleft of lip, alveolus and palate treated with two different protocols

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to compare sagittal growth of the facial skeleton of 6-year-old children treated in two cleft centres with different surgical protocols. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Each group consisted of 20 consecutive non-syndromic children with complete unilateral cleft lip, alveolus and palate. They all had presurgical orthopaedics with a passive plate and external strapping until lip repair. Centre 1 had lip repair at the age of 3 months and one stage palatal closure at the age of 1 year. Closure of the alveolar cleft was planned at 9 years with bone grafting. In centre 2 lip repair was performed at the age of 6 months, soft palate repair at 12 months and hard palate repair together with mucoperiosteal closure of the alveolar cleft at the age of 30 months. At the time of investigation, the children from both centres had not received any postoperative orthodontic treatment. Sagittal growth was evaluated on lateral cephalograms using the angles SNA, SNB, ANB and SNPg. For control, Droschl standards were used. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in SNA, SNB, ANB and SNPg between the centres at the age of 6 years. There were no children with a class III jaw relationship. The sagittal dimensions were close to the values of non-cleft control persons (Droschl standards). CONCLUSION: There was considerable similar sagittal growth of the facial skeleton in both centres which has not been affected by the different surgical protocols so far. A final evaluation should be delayed until the growth of the facial skeleton is complete.     

Hard palate repair timing and facial growth in unilateral cleft lip and palate: a longitudinal study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether timing of hard palate repair had a significant effect on facial growth in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP). DESIGN: Retrospective longitudinal study. SETTING: Sri Lankan Cleft Lip and Palate Project. PATIENTS: A total of 104 patients with nonsyndromic UCLP who had hard palate repair by age 13 years, with their 290 cephalometric radiographs taken after lip and palate repair. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical notes were used to record surgical treatment histories. Cephalometry was used to determine facial morphology and growth rate. RESULTS: Timing of hard palate repair had a significant effect on the length and protrusion of the alveolar maxilla (PMP-A and SNA, respectively) and the anteroposterior alveolar jaw relation (ANB) at age 20 years but not on their growth rates. CONCLUSION: Timing of hard palate repair significantly affects the growth of the maxilla in patients with UCLP. Late hard palate repair has a smaller adverse effect than does early hard palate repair on the growth of the maxilla. This timing effect primarily affects the anteroposterior development of the maxillary dentoalveolus and is attributed to the development being undisturbed before closure of the hard palate.     

Dental arch relationship in children with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate following one-stage and three-stage surgical protocols

The objective of this study is to compare dental arch relationship following one-stage and three-stage surgical protocols of unilateral cleft lip and palate. Dental casts of 61 children (mean age, 11.2 years; SD, 1.7), consecutively treated in one center with one-stage closure of the complete cleft at 9.2 months (SD, 2.0), were compared with a sample of 97 patients (mean age, 8.7 years; SD, 0.9), consecutively treated with a three-stage protocol including delayed hard palate closure in another center. The dental casts were assigned random numbers to blind their origin. Four raters graded dental arch relationship and palatal morphology using the EUROCRAN index. The strength of agreement of rating was assessed with kappa statistics. Independent t tests were run to compare the EUROCRAN scores between one-stage and three-stage samples, and Fisher's exact tests were performed to evaluate differences of distribution of the EUROCRAN grades. The intra- and inter-rater agreement was moderate to very good. Dental arch relationship in the one-stage sample was less favorable than in three-stage group (mean scores, 2.58 and 1.97 for one-stage and three-stage samples, respectively; p < 0.000). Palatal morphology in the one-stage sample was more favorable than in the three-stage group (mean scores, 1.79 and 1.96 for one-stage and three-stage samples, respectively; p = 0.047). The dental arch relationship following one-stage repair was less favorable than the outcome of three-stage repair. The palatal morphology following one-stage repair, however, was more favorable than the outcome of three-stage repair.     

Early hard palate closure using a vomer flap in unilateral cleft lip and palate: effects on cleft width

Objectives

Although no universal consensus exists on treatment of cleft palates, early hard palate closure is commonly performed. The aim of the present study was to determine the influence of a vomer flap for early hard palate closure on residual palatal cleft width in patients with a unilateral complete cleft lip and palate (UCLP).

Materials and methods

Forty-seven UCLP patients were retrospectively divided into two groups. Group A consisted of 25 patients who underwent early lip closure and simultaneous hard palate closure using a vomer flap. Group B included 22 patients who had lip closure only at first surgery. Palatal cleft widths of both groups were measured at two time points and were compared using the Mann–Whitney U test to examine the influence of vomerplasty in this very early stage.

Results

No significant difference of baseline characteristics between the groups was found, and comparison of age at the time of surgeries was not significantly different. Mean age at the time of vomerplasty was 4.0 months. After the first surgery, a significantly greater total cleft width reduction of 5.0 mm average was found in group A compared to only 1.5 mm reduction in group B. This reduction took place after an average of 7.1 and 7.0 months, respectively.

Conclusions

Lip closure accompanied by early hard palate closure using a vomer flap is associated with a significant postoperative reduction of the residual cleft when compared to lip closure only.

Clinical relevance

This study shows another great advantage of performing early hard palate closure using a vomer flap.     

Analysis of dental arch relationships in Swedish unilateral cleft lip and palate subjects: 20-year longitudinal consecutive series treated with delayed hard palate closure.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the dental arch relationships for a consecutive series from Goteborg, Sweden, who had delayed hard palate closure. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Goteborg, Sweden. PATIENTS: The dental study models of 104 consecutive unilateral cleft lip and palate subjects. The study cohort was born between 1979 and 1994. Longitudinal records were available at ages 5 (n = 94), 10 (n = 97), 16 (n = 59), and 19 years (n = 46). Five assessors rated models according to the GOSLON Yardstick on two separate occasions each. INTERVENTIONS: These patients had been operated upon according to the Goteborg protocol of delayed hard palate closure (at age 8 years). RESULTS: 85% of subjects were rated in groups 1 and 2 (excellent or very good outcome), 12% were rated in group 3 (satisfactory), and 3% were assigned to group 4 (poor). No patients presented in Group 5 (very poor). Weighted kappa statistics for double determination of Yardstick allocation for five assessors demonstrated values between .65 and .90 for interrater agreement (good/very good) and between .70 and .90 for intrarater agreement (very good). CONCLUSIONS: Delayed hard palate closure as practiced in Goteborg since 1979 has produced the best GOSLON Yardstick ratings in a consecutive series of patients ever recorded worldwide, since the Yardstick was first used in 1983. However, it is noteworthy that a new protocol has been introduced in Goteborg since 1994, in which hard palate closure is done at 3 years due to concerns regarding speech.     

Midfacial morphology in children with unilateral cleft lip and palate treated by different surgical protocols

The purpose of this study was to compare cranio-facial, particularly midfacial morphology, in two groups of children with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) treated at two different cleft centres (Hannover. Germany and Brussels, Belgium) following different surgical treatment protocols. A total of 62 children (40 males; 22 females) with non-syndromic UCLP were included in this study at approximately the age of 10. The Hannover group comprised 36 children, who had repair of the lip at a mean age of 5.83 +/- 1.16 months, followed by repair of the hard and soft palate at a mean age of 29.08 +/- 4.68 and 32.25 +/- 4.29 months. respectively. The Brussels group consisted of 26 children who underwent surgical treatment according to the Malek protocol: the soft palate was closed at a mean age of 3.04 +/- 0.20 months, followed by simultaneous repair of the lip and hard palate at a mean age of 6.15 +/- 0.68 months. Midfacial morphology was evaluated by means of cephalometric analysis according to Ross. The children in the Hannover UCLP group did not differ significantly from those in the Brussels group in the anteroposterior dimension of the midface. However, the maxillary plane was significantly more open in the Brussels group due to less posterior vertical maxillary development.     

One-stage closure of uni- and bilateral cleft lip and palate

A preliminary report of an ‘all-in-one’ one-staged closure of all forms of cleft lip and palate during the first year of life. The one-stage repair of complete uni- and bilateral clefts includes the anatomical reconstruction of soft palate, hard palate closure in two layers, alveoloplasty with bone grafting and lip repair. This surgical technique is described and early results presented.     

Mandibular morphology and spatial position following one-stage simultaneous repair of complete unilateral cleft lip and palate.

OBJECTIVE: To assess mandibular structure and spatial position following one-stage simultaneous repair of the unilateral cleft lip and palate. DESIGN: Forty boys and 17 girls with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate who underwent one-stage simultaneous repair of the cleft by the same surgeon at the age of 9.23 months (standard deviation = 1.74) were selected. Lateral cephalograms taken at the age of approximately 10 years were analyzed and were compared with a sex- and age-matched control group that consisted of individuals with Angle Class I, no crossbite, positive overbite <5 mm, mild crowding (Incisor Irregularity Index <3.5 mm), and harmonious facial build. RESULTS: No intergroup differences were demonstrated regarding structure of the cranial base. The mandible was found to be retruded and at a larger inclination to the cranial base as compared with controls. Both total mandibular length (ArGn) and length of the mandibular body were larger in the control group, at <2 mm. Height of the ramus and gonial angle were similar in both groups. Intergender comparison showed few significant differences in control subjects only (SN, SGo, and NMe variables). CONCLUSIONS: The mandible, following a one-stage simultaneous repair of cleft, was found to be retrusive, and the length of mandibular body was <2 mm shorter than that of the controls.     

Infant orthopedics has no effect on maxillary arch dimensions in the deciduous dentition of children with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (Dutchcleft).

OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of the effect of infant orthopedics on maxillary arch dimensions in the deciduous dentition in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate. DESIGN: Prospective two-arm randomized controlled clinical trial with three participating cleft palate centers. SETTING: Cleft palate centers of the Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Academic Center of Dentistry Amsterdam, and University Medical Center Rotterdam, the Netherlands. PATIENTS: Children with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (n = 54) were included. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomly divided into two groups. Half of the patients (IO+) had a presurgical orthopedic plate until surgical closure of the soft palate at the age of 52 weeks; the other half (IO-) did not undergo presurgical orthopedics. MEAN OUTCOME MEASURES: Maxillary arch dimensions were assessed on dental casts at 4 and 6 years of age with measurements for arch width, arch depth, arch length, arch form, and the vertical position of the lesser segment. Contact and collapse were assessed also. RESULTS: There were no clinically significant differences found between IO+ and IO- for any of the variables. CONCLUSIONS: Infant orthopedics had no observable effect on the maxillary arch dimensions or on the contact and collapse scores in the deciduous dentition at the ages of 4 and 6 years. Considering the Dutchcleft results to date, there is no need to perform infant orthopedics for unilateral cleft lip and palate patients.