Secondary alveolar bone grafting: An outcome analysis

OBJECTIVE

To review the outcome of secondary alveolar bone grafting in unilateral and bilateral cleft lip and palate.

DESIGN

A surgeon’s experience, by retrospective chart review, of 70 consecutive patients at a tertiary care centre.

OUTCOME MEASURE

Periapical radiographs were taken at least six months after secondary alveolar bone grafting. The Enemark grading system was used to stratify graft-take.

RESULTS

In unilateral clefts, 33% were level 1, 36% were level 2, 20% were level 3 and 11% were level 4. In bilateral clefts, 29% were level 1, 50% were level 2, 14% were level 3 and 7% were level 4. There was no statistically significant difference between the level of take and the type of cleft. Complications encountered were infection (n=3), fistula (n=3), pain (n=4) and bone graft exposure that led to failure (n=2). Two patients required reoperation for bone grafting.

CONCLUSIONS

The iliac crest is a good donor site with excellent results and minimal morbidity.