[Changes in alveolar cleft width in children below one year of age with complete unilateral cleft palate and lip]

The aim of this study is to analyze the development of the anterior cleft width (G-L) in children with complete unilateral cleft. The maxillary dental casts of two groups of children were compared: a) neonatal surgical repair for clefts (16 children); b) surgical repair for clefts at the age of 3 months (7 children). The anterior cleft width (G-L) was measured before the surgical repair (after the birth in the first group or at the age of 1 month in the second group), next at the age of 3 months, at the age of 6-7 months and last at the age of 1 year. The cheiloplasty was performed by Millard and V-Y, W-Y Wardil-Kilner. The digital slide caliper (accuracy 0.1 mm) was used for the measurement of maxillary dental casts. The "G" and "L" points were identified by Mazaheri et al. The anterior cleft width (G-L) was decreasing faster in the first group than in the second group. At the age of 3 months the G-L was 5.16 mm and 12.44 mm in the first and second group respectively. The neonatal surgical repair for clefts accelerated the decreasing of the anterior cleft width significantly. The added psychological advantage and reduction in middle ear disease indicates that the neonatal surgical repair of clefts may be better than the later repair of complete unilateral clefts.