Mid versus late secondary alveolar cleft grafting using iliac crest corticocancellous bone graft

Mid-secondary alveolar cleft repair performed at ages 9-12, in the mixed dentition stage, prior to eruption of the permanent canine, is generally accepted as the ideal time for residual alveolar cleft closure in cleft lip and palate cases with a cleft alveolus.

In our study, four cases of mid-secondary and five cases of late-secondary alveolar cleft grafting were carried out using iliac crest corticocancellous bone graft. Clinical defect closure and radiographic bone fill were compared.

All the nine cases performed in the two different age groups showed excellent results, clinically, with complete closure of the cleft defect and achievement of continuity of the dental arches. One case was planned for a two-stage procedure owing to the large bilateral maxillary defects. Good bone fill was visualized radiographically in all nine cases.

Precise timing for undertaking alveolar cleft repair may not be all that crucial for a successful alveolar cleft grafting procedure.