Growth in width following pharyngeal flap surgery

The data reported in this investigation can be summarized in the following statements: Pharyngeal flap surgery in this sample of 17 cleft patients did not appear to produce or be related to any dramatic alterations in growth in width of the jaws or dental arches following the surgery. The only significant finding was related to an increase in basal maxillary width following flap surgery, a result opposite that described as typical of nasorespiratory obstruction. In general, the more interesting and significant relationships found between pharyngeal flap surgery and dentofacial growth in studies in the vertical and sagittal planes were not found in this evaluation of growth in width. Nasal cavity width changes with growth could not be related to the flap, but point out the possible usefulness of evaluating data such as these grouped according to cleft type.