Relations between local bone density from computed tomography and bone regeneration in alveolar cleft repair

Numerous factors influence postoperative bone regeneration with autologous iliac bone grafting in alveolar cleft repair. However, few studies have reported the relationship between preoperative local bone quality and postoperative bone regeneration. Local bone density (BD) was determined according to the gray value in preoperative computed tomography (CT) images with 3D reconstruction technique. Postoperative bone formation volume (BFV) and preoperative bone defect volume (BDV) were obtained after 3D reconstruction, fitting alignment, and Boolean operation based on preoperative and postoperative CT images. The bone formation rate (BFR) was subsequently calculated (BFV/BDV). 12 patients were included in this retrospective study. The mean BD was 658.34 ± 73.40 HU, the mean BFV was 404.89 ± 164.93 mm³ and the mean BFR was 46.1 ± 12.18 % after a follow-up of at least 6 months. Pearson correlation analysis showed that there was a significant positive correlation between the BFV and the BD (r = 0.7815, p = 0.0027), and the BFR and the BD were also significantly positively correlated (r = 0.6533, p = 0.0213). In conclusion, Postoperative BFV and BFR in patients with alveolar cleft who underwent autogenous iliac bone grafting were positively correlated with BD of recipient site.