Early cleft lip repair in children with unilateral complete cleft lip and palate: a case against primary alveolar repair

All children with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate will develop some degree of malocclusion regardless whether the alveolar cleft is repaired primarily or bone grafting is deferred. To evaluate the impact of early gingivoperiosteoplasty on occlusal relationships, dental models were obtained in 5-year-old patients who underwent early cleft lip and palate repair with primary boneless bone grafting (Skoog's method) (56 children) and without alveolar intervention (51 children). The Goslon's occlusion grading system was applied to evaluate occlusal relationships in both groups. Patients with early surgical intervention to repair alveolar cleft demonstrated poor occlusal relationship with the Goslon score 4 and 5, which will likely need an orthognathic corrective procedure (50% vs. 19.6% in patients without early primary dissection of the alveolar process). Results reaffirm that an inclusion of the alveolar process into the early primary lip repair adds to the severity of occlusal maldevelopment.     

Cleft lip,maxilla and palate treatment by Dr. Talmant's team in Nantes

Over the last 30 years, our private cleft lip and palate team has developed an increasing activity based on the Victor Veau's concept: "All the structures are present and only deformed". Our goal is to achieve an anatomical and fully functional repair in every fields with the first operation. A few recent refinements have improved our primary procedures: intravelar veloplasty; simultaneous lengthening of the columella and primary lip repair in bilateral clefts; nasal retainer for the 3 or 4 first postoperative months allowing the establishment of a nasal breathing mode at once. Our timing has been the same over the last 21 years if we except that we currently perform the gingivoperiosteoplasty between 4 and 5 years of age so that the width and the relationships of the maxillary arch are normal at the time of the mixed dentition. The timing is the same in uni and bilateral clefts. No preoperative orthopedics. At 6 months of age, nasolabial repair and closure of the soft palate with intravelar veloplasty. At 18 months of age, anatomical closure of the residual cleft of the bony palate in two planes without vomer flap or denuded bone. Between 4 and 5 years of age, after a short orthopedic treatment, closure of the alveolar cleft by a gingivoperiosteoplasty with iliac bone graft. From 6 years of age we start the orthodontic treatment. The current evolution allows to think that only few late corrections will be necessary.     

A Multicentre Comparison of Treatment Regimens for Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate Using a Multiple Regression Model

Abstract

The European Cleft Lip and Palate Research Group consists of specialists in orthodontics from six centres for the treatment of cleft palate in northern Europe. The purpose of this part of the multicentre study was to investigate whether differences in outcomes could be explained by specific treatment regimens. Three regimens that were assumed to influence the outcome of treatment were selected: Presurgical orthopaedics, closure of the palate, and primary bone grafting. The sample comprised 151 children with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate from the six centres. The result of multiple regression analysis showed that within that sample it was not possible to reach definite conclusions as to which factors exerted the most favourable influence on facial growth, but primary bone grafting was associated with reduced maxillary inclination and presurgical orthopedics with increased mandibular inclination.     

Long-term influence of infant periosteoplasty on facial growth and occlusion in patients with bilateral cleft lip and palate

Abstract This retrospective, long-term study evaluated the influence of two different treatment protocols, one including infant periosteoplasty, on facial growth and occlusion in patients with complete bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP). Thirty-five patients with records of 5-, 8- and 16-19-year-olds were included. Sixteen of these received infant periosteoplasty (BCLP-pp) to the cleft alveolus in conjunction with lip repair and a one-stage closure of the palate. The remaining 19 patients with a two-stage closure of the palate did not have an infant periosteoplasty (BCLP-np). The bone formation induced by periosteoplasty in the BCLP-np group was insufficient and both groups had secondary bone grafting to the alveolar clefts before the eruption of the lateral incisor or the canine. Facial growth was evaluated with cephalometry at the recorded ages and dental arch relationships with the Huddart and Bodenham crossbite scores at the age of 16-19 years. Until 19 years a significant retrusion of the maxillary position (SNA) was observed in both groups. At 16-19 years of age there was no significant difference of maxillary protrusion (SNA), intermaxillary position (ANB), maxillary length (ss-pm) or vertical skeletal relationships (ML/NSL, Ml/NL) between the two groups. However, a significant difference of the crossbite scores was found. The BCLP-pp group did not show more facial growth problems but more malocclusion and the insufficient bone formation of the alveolar clefts after infant periosteoplasty required a secondary bone grafting.     

Early bone grafting in complete cleft lip and palate cases following maxillofacial orthopedics. II. The soft tissue development from seven to thirteen years of age

The subsequent effect of preoperative maxillofacial orthopedics and early bone grafting on the development of the soft tissue profile of the face was studied with roentgencephalometric analysis on cleft patients between 7 and 13 years of age. They were divided into two unilateral and one bilateral complete-cleft group, all having been bone grafted early with the "four-flap" technique. The two unilateral groups were one group of 39 children operated on between 1960 and 1965 without preoperative orthopedics and one group of 46 children operated on between 1965 and 1972 after preoperative orthopedics ("T-traction"). The bilateral group comprised 19 children operated on between 1960 and 1972 after premaxillary retropositioning pressure, combined when necessary, with outward rotation of the lateral maxillary segments. Comparisons of facial growth were made with U.S. non-grafted clefts and with nonclefts. The effect of the preoperative orthopedic management facilitated the subsequent surgical procedure by a narrowing of the cleft and replacement of the deviated maxillary and nasal structures. The results were within limits of the non-grafted cases, with the exception of the soft tissue overlying the subnasal region. The reduced prominence of that region was explained by the primary surgical procedure, which made the lip adherent to the alveolar crest. In comparison with nonclefts, all parameters indicated a reduced growth capacity.     

Long-term influence of infant periosteoplasty on facial growth and occlusion in patients with bilateral cleft lip and palate

Abstract

This retrospective, long-term study evaluated the influence of two different treatment protocols, one including infant periosteoplasty, on facial growth and occlusion in patients with complete bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP). Thirty-five patients with records of 5-, 8- and 16–19-year-olds were included. Sixteen of these received infant periosteoplasty (BCLP-pp) to the cleft alveolus in conjunction with lip repair and a one-stage closure of the palate. The remaining 19 patients with a two-stage closure of the palate did not have an infant periosteoplasty (BCLP-np). The bone formation induced by periosteoplasty in the BCLP-np group was insufficient and both groups had secondary bone grafting to the alveolar clefts before the eruption of the lateral incisor or the canine. Facial growth was evaluated with cephalometry at the recorded ages and dental arch relationships with the Huddart and Bodenham crossbite scores at the age of 16–19 years. Until 19 years a significant retrusion of the maxillary position (SNA) was observed in both groups. At 16–19 years of age there was no significant difference of maxillary protrusion (SNA), intermaxillary position (ANB), maxillary length (ss-pm) or vertical skeletal relationships (ML/NSL, Ml/NL) between the two groups. However, a significant difference of the crossbite scores was found. The BCLP-pp group did not show more facial growth problems but more malocclusion and the insufficient bone formation of the alveolar clefts after infant periosteoplasty required a secondary bone grafting.     

Comparison of growth results in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate after early secondary gingivoalveoloplasty and secondary bone grafting: 20 years follow up

The Milan surgical protocol from 1988 has included repair of lip, nose, and soft palate at 6–9 months of age, and closure of the hard palate and alveolus with an early secondary gingivoalveoloplasty at 18–36 months. The goal of this study was to evaluate the long-term maxillary growth in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) who had had the early secondary gingivoalveoloplasty, compared with the growth in a sample treated before 1988, by the same surgeon, with a surgical protocol that differed only by the method and the timing of alveolar closure. In the second group they were repaired by secondary bone grafting. The samples consisted of lateral cephalograms of the UCLP early secondary gingivoalveoloplasty sample (15 patients with a mean age of 18 (1.2) years) and of the UCLP bone graft sample (10 patients with a mean age of 19 (1.1) years). The early secondary gingivoalveoloplasty patients showed that maxillary growth was inhibited compared with the secondary bone graft group. Although the early secondary gingivoalveoloplasty allowed for early repair of the alveolus together with palatal repair, eliminating the need for secondary bone grafting, it seemed to have an inhibiting influence on maxillary growth that increased the need for Le Fort I osteotomies. Even with a Le Fort I osteotomy, the early secondary gingivoalveoloplasty allows the total number of operations to be kept down to three, as in most European protocols.     

齿槽裂修复方法的研究进展

目的探讨齿槽裂修复治疗的目的、方法以及治疗时机的选择。方法查阅1950年至2006年有关齿槽裂修复的文献,归纳文献中报道的不同方法,并评价其各自的优缺点。结果齿槽裂修复的主要目的:关闭口鼻瘘;建立稳定、连续的上颌骨牙弓;为牙齿萌出提供基础;为上唇和鼻底提供稳定支架。主要治疗方法:植骨术;牵引成骨技术;组织工程骨和生长因子应用;引导骨再生技术。患者最佳的手术治疗时机是9~11岁时混合牙列期。结论在9~11岁混合牙列期手术,以髂骨松质骨为移植材料被认为是修复齿槽裂的主要手段。牵引成骨技术、组织工程技术和引导骨再生技术,将是齿槽裂修复的新方向。     

A Follow-Up Study of Cleft Children Treated with Primary Bone Grafting: I. Orthodontic Aspects

The effect of primary bone grafting in the treatment of complete clefts has been studied with roentgenologic and biometric methods. The material, operated on during 1958–64, consisted of 16 patients with complete bilateral cleft lip and palate and 37 cases with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate. All of the studied bone grafts (= 69) healed well, but this did not lead to the expected normalisation of the growth of the middle face. On the contrary, our patients developed a pronounced maxillary retrognathia, which seemed to increase with age. This resulted in a concave facial skeletal profile for both the bilateral and unilateral cases. The occlusal analysis also indicated a maxillary growth retardation. Thus, our patients revealed a much higher frequency of anterior as well as lateral crossbites, when compared with other studies on not-bone-grafted clefts. Also, our patients had increased frequency of Class III molar relations while fewer had Class I and Class II relations. The growth aberration in many cases reached such a degree that the primary bone grafting of further cleft patients was discontinued.     

The early gingivoalveoloplasty. Preliminary results.

To try and achieve good alveolar structure without the need for later bone grafting, we have carried out secondary gingivoalveoloplasties in 19 consecutive patients with cleft lip and palate at a mean age of 36 months (range 19-68). The lip and soft palate had been repaired at a mean age of 6 months. Preliminary results suggest that simultaneous closure of the hard palate and reconstruction of the alveolomaxillary cleft results in good formation of new bone and good or reasonable alveolar structure, so obviating the necessity for bone grafting at the age of 9-10 years. Long term follow up is needed to confirm these results.     

Neonatal computed tomographic maxillary explorations in children with unilateral cleft lip and palate

The aim was to examine the bony maxillary structures by computed tomographic measurements in newborns with unilateral cleft lip and palate before cheiloplasty. Analysis of maxillary bone was performed and size parameters were measured by computed-tomographic analysis in 12 infants with unilateral cleft lip and palate. We compared the bony maxillary length and the bony maxillary width between the cleft side and the healthy side. For eight patients, the bony maxillary length was different between the cleft side and the healthy side. For three patients, the bony maxillary width was different between the incisor alveolar structure in the cleft side and the healthy side. For six patients, the bony maxillary width was different between the canine alveolar structure in the cleft side and the healthy side. We noted an asymmetry without hypoplasy in bony maxillary structure in newborns before cheiloplasty. The data can serve as the starting point for a control and later evaluation on the efficiency of different therapeutic approaches of alveolar and maxillary development in children with cleft lip and palate.     

The Maxillary Periosteal Flap in Primary Palate Surgery1

Clefts of the primary palate have been closed in infants by the utilization of a large anterolateral maxillary periosteal flap to form a periosteum-lined cavity with the inferior aspect of the nasal floor. The results in 12 cases with Wide unilateral and bilateral clefts revealed deposition of bone in the primary cleft within six months, and this increased with time. Good alignment of the alveolar arch was achieved in all cases. Further bone deposition followed subperiosteal implantation of “Surgicel” at the age of one year in four cases, with lessening also of the ala base asymmetry. No interference with maxillary growth has been observed. The full assessment of this type of primary palate closure requires some years of observation, but the present results are promising.     

Orthodontic-surgical interaction in the management of cleft lip and palate

The orthodontist's role in the cleft palate team requires close collaboration with the surgeons and other team members. The rationale of timing and sequencing of orthodontic treatment have been discussed in the various time frames, which for convenience have been considered as follows: (1) neonatal or infant maxillary orthopedics; (2) orthodontic considerations in the primary dentition; (3) mixed dentition orthodontics to include presurgical recommendations before an alveolar bone graft and its rationale for use in selected patients; and (4) orthognathic surgery combining an orthodontic and surgical approach to the correction of dental and skeletal components of malocclusion in the permanent dentition. Speech considerations and the communicative skills of the patient with a cleft are important aspects in planning orthognathic surgery for this group of patients. Also, subsequent nose and lip revisions for cosmetic improvement must not be underestimated in the enhancement of the final result following correction of the skeletal and dental discrepancies. Provided the timing and sequencing of appropriate treatment modalities are planned in a closely coordinated, problem-oriented approach by the team members, cleft patients should currently have optimal functional and esthetic results.     

Maxillary bone transportation in alveolar cleft-transport distraction osteogenesis for treatment of alveolar cleft repair.

Secondary autogenous cancellous bone grafting is a widely used method for the treatment of alveolar clefts and oronasal fistulae. However, failure of iliac bone grafting sometimes occurs due to inadequate covering with the surrounding soft tissue and marked scar formation, inappropriate patient age, or large clefts. For alveolar clefts, we developed a method consisting of alveolar bone transportation, closure of the alveolar cleft, and/or grafting of new bone. Transport distraction osteogenesis along the curve of the dental arch is ideal. Alveolar bone was transported in the planned direction using a ready-made bone-borne distractor in combination with an orthodontic arch wire for transport guidance. This method allows simultaneous correction of nasal septal deviation and also correction of maxillary arch deformities and malocclusion since, the dental arch is expanded without donor sacrifice. This method can be regarded as tissue engineering to expand bone tissue. This method can be safely performed not only in patients undergoing initial treatment for alveolar clefts but also in patients in whom bone grafting has failed. Since 1997, we have performed this method in 22 patients and obtained good results.     

New orthodontic and orthopaedic managements on the premaxillary deformities in patients with bilateral cleft before alveolar bone grafting

At the age of mixed dentition, a downward or laterally displaced premaxilla with a wide alveolar cleft in patients with bilateral cleft lip and palate remains a dilemma both for orthodontists and surgeons. These premaxillary deformities not only make the alveolar bone grafting difficult but also aesthetically and functionally unacceptable. The purpose of the present article is to introduce three new orthodontic and orthopaedic techniques for solving these premaxillary deformities and facilitating alveolar bone graft through a non‐surgical approach. These techniques are the premaxillary orthopaedic intrusion for correcting a downward displaced premaxilla, the premaxillary orthopaedic repositioning for correcting a laterally displaced premaxilla, and maxillary orthopaedic protraction by alternate rapid maxillary expansions and constrictions for minimizing a wide alveolar cleft. They were evaluated clinically and cephalometrically for their treatment effects. The results revealed that the premaxillary and cleft deformities were corrected in a short period of time and therefore the alveolar bone grafting could be carried out without difficulty in all of the patients who received the treatment. The treatment effects were mostly orthopaedic and partly orthodontic. No growth disturbance on the maxilla was observed throughout the treatment. These new orthodontic and orthopaedic techniques are very effective for solving the difficult‐to‐treat premaxillary deformities and facilitating the alveolar bone grafting in the patients with bilateral cleft.      

Difference in alveolar molding effect and growth in the cleft segments: 3-dimensional analysis of unilateral cleft lip and palate patients.

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to observe the alveolar molding (AM) effect and growth of unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) patients using 3-dimensional (3D) analysis. STUDY DESIGN: The sample consisted of 16 Korean UCLP infants who were treated using presurgical nasoalveolar molding (PNAM) appliance and rotation-advancement cheiloplasty. The maxillary models were obtained at the initial visit, after PNAM treatment 1 month before cheiloplasty, and 2 months after cheiloplasty. RESULTS: The cleft gap was reduced by AM of the greater segment (GS) during PNAM treatment and of the anterior alveolar segments (AAS) through lip pressure after cheiloplasty. Although forward growth of GS was restrained by the PNAM treatment, it resumed after cheiloplasty. The amount of increase in the area and distance variables were largest in the posterior alveolar segments (PAS) only after cheiloplasty. CONCLUSION: Alveolar molding took place mainly in AAS during PNAM treatment, and growth occurred mainly in PAS after cheiloplasty.     

单侧完全性唇腭裂患者术前鼻牙槽骨整形的回顾性研究

目的：对接受术前鼻牙槽骨整形的单侧完全性唇腭裂患者进行回顾性研究,指导唇腭裂的术前非手术治疗。方法本研究回顾性分析了58例接受术前鼻牙槽骨整形的单侧唇腭裂患者,对正畸后未发生齿槽偏移和正畸后发生齿槽偏移的患者进行相关变量测量,并对测量结果进行统计学分析。结果本研究纳入的58例唇腭裂患者,有4例患者发生正畸后齿槽舌侧偏移,其余的54例患者正畸后未发生齿槽偏移。两组患者的前方齿槽裂隙宽度在矢状方向和垂直方向（PP’-Y、PP’-Z）存在显著差异,健侧齿槽前方与齿槽后方水平方向之间的夹角（∠PTT’）也存在统计学差异。结论单侧完全性唇腭裂患者在正畸前可能潜在齿槽偏移畸形,与前方齿槽在矢状和垂直方向裂隙畸形宽度,及健侧齿槽前方成角角度相关。无齿槽偏移患者可以直接使用矫治器缩窄裂隙宽度,而对于正畸后可能发生齿槽舌侧偏移的患者,需先矫正偏移畸形再缩小裂隙宽度。     

Late management of cleft lip and palate problems: a joint orthodontic/surgical approach

Three patients are presented from a larger case series of adolescent cleft lip and palate patients to illustrate a combined approach to the treatment of severe facial and dentoalveolar discrepancy. The following treatment regime was employed: orthopaedic expansion of the maxillary dentoalveolus; tertiary bone grafting of the alveolar cleft; upper and lower dental arch alignment and decompensation; and orthognathic surgery to correct the skeletal defect by means of a maxillary single unit advancement. The advantages of tertiary grafting (when secondary grafting has not been carried out) in the orthodontic and surgical management of these patients is discussed.     

Die primäre Kalottenosteoplastik bei Lippen-Kiefer-Gaumen-Spalten

Treatment of cleft lip and palate requires multiple interdisciplinary treatment steps. Concerning rehabilitation of this deformity, there is a heightened and in part controversial debate regarding the correct treatment modalities, particularly for alveolar cleft reconstruction. The aim of this review article is to present the literature-based findings for the timing of surgery and the donor site for alveolar cleft repair and to provide a basis for discussion of primary alveoloplasty with calvarial bone. Regarding optimal timing for osseous reconstruction of the alveolus in cleft lip and palate management, primary alveolar cleft repair is indicated during eruption of the cleft-proximal lateral incisor to benefit from the osteogenic potency of this process, thus promoting optimal stabilization of the alveolar process. Additionally, the width of the alveolar cleft should be minimalized by the therapeutic pretreatment of cleft lip closure to a few millimetres. The calvarial bone graft is particularly suitable in these cases, with slight advantages in donor site morbidity compared to the iliac crest.     

Assessment of secondary alveolar bone grafting using a modification of the Bergland grading system.

Although the management of the alveolar cleft remains controversial secondary alveolar bone grafting is the most widely accepted approach. The results of a series of 71 secondary alveolar bone grafts performed between 1990 and 2001 on 58 patients with complete cleft lip and palate 13 of which were bilateral are presented. Bone grafts were assessed when the canine tooth had fully erupted using periapical dental radiographs.The occlusal level of the newly obtained interdental bone of each grafted cleft was recorded and categorised in accordance with the Oslo grading system as described by Bergland. In addition the basal level of each bone graft was recorded. In this way total bone graft height was measured and each graft was categorised with respect to the desired normal height of noncleft interdental alveolar bone. This modified analysis grades more precisely the efficacy of secondary alveolar bone grafting and helps to identify and categorise those patients with insufficient bone for dental, orthodontic and orthognathic rehabilitation and those who may require further investigation and regrafting.