Influence of surgery on maxillary growth in cleft lip and/or palate patients

Using a sample of 204 caucasian adults of both sexes, with complete unilateral cleft lip and alveolus, isolated cleft palate and complete unilateral cleft lip, alveolus and palate, the influence of surgery on maxillary morphology and spatial position for the three main types of cleft lip and/or palate were evaluated. 113 cleft patients operated on at conventional timings were compared to 91 cleft patients who had never been operated on. Findings permit the conclusion that cheiloplasty in cleft lip and alveolus patients is associated with osseous remodelling in the anterior alveolar region, without significant changes in anterior nasal spine or other areas of the maxilla. In isolated cleft palate subjects palate repair does not promote significant changes in maxillary morphology and spatial position. The most evident effects were seen in the cleft lip, alveolus and palate group: reconstructive surgery in these patients leads to a severe maxillary retroposition associated with a downward rotation.