Long-term results after maxillary advancement in patients with clefts

In order to evaluate relapse tendencies after maxillary advancement, 31 patients were examined preoperatively, postoperatively, and 1 year postoperatively; 14 of whom had clefts of the lip, alveolus, and palate. Patients with maxillary deficiency were selected in a method that mere sagittal displacement was planned. Any patients with major vertical or transverse changes or additional mandibular surgery were excluded. Treatment consisted of maxillary advancement by Le Fort I osteotomy and miniplate fixation. Besides clinical examination, skeletal and dental changes were assessed cephalometrically. Results revealed a certain relapse tendency of the displacement in the noncleft group that compared favorably to the cleft group. This relapse is dependent on the amount of advancement. Despite minor differences, the two groups did not differ significantly based on maxillary advancement, so besides advancement surgery there must be another factor, cleft, to explain the different relapse tendencies between patients with and without clefts.