[What effect does using the Latham devices have on craniofacial growth in uni- and bilateral lip-jaw-palate clefts]

Primary gingivoperiosteoplasty according to Millard consists of active presurgical orthopedic treatment with the Latham device at the age of 4 months and surgical covering of the alveolar cleft by local mucoperiosteum flaps at the age of 6 months. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the facial growth following use of the Latham device. Lateral head X-rays and plaster casts from 146 patients with unilateral and bilateral clefts of lip and palate were investigated (follow-up of 16 years). Ninety-one of these patients formed the control group and received no Latham device and no gingivoperiosteoplasty. The same surgeon and orthodontist treated all of the 146 patients. Three-dimensional growth disturbance was observed after application of the Latham device and gingivoperiosteoplasty. Forty-two percent of patients with UCLP and 40% patients with BCLP had an "open bite" following closure of the alveolar cleft (control group 5%-10%): the length of the upper jaw was shorter than in the control group and the frequency of cross-bite was higher. These results demonstrate that treatment with a Latham device followed by gingivoperiosteoplasty disturbs facial growth. Therefore this treatment should be rejected.