Cleft Palate Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Cleft Palate, including details on causes, surgery, treatment.

Long-term follow-up after maxillary distraction osteogenesis in growing children with cleft lip and palate.

Huang CS, Harikrishnan P, Liao YF, Ko EW, Liou EJ, Chen PK

Craniofacial Center, Faculty of Dentistry, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. sshuang@ms1.hinet.net

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the changes in maxillary position after maxillary distraction osteogenesis in six growing children with cleft lip and palate. DESIGN: Retrospective, longitudinal study on maxillary changes at A point, anterior nasal spine, posterior nasal spine, central incisor, and first molar. SETTING: The University Hospital Craniofacial Center. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Cephalometric radiographs were used to measure the maxillary position immediately after distraction, at 6 months, and more than 1 year after distraction. RESULTS: After maxillary distraction with a rigid external distraction device, the maxilla (A point) on average moved forward 9.7 mm and downward 3.5 mm immediately after distraction, moved backward 0.9 mm and upward 2.0 mm after 6 months postoperatively, and then moved further backward 2.3 mm and downward 6.8 mm after more than 1 year from the predistraction position. CONCLUSION: In most cases, maxilla moved forward at distraction and started to move backward until 1 year after distraction, but remained forward, as compared with predistraction position. Maxilla also moved downward during distraction and upward in 6 months, but started descending in 1 year. There also was no further forward growth of the maxilla after distraction in growing children with clefts.

Published 4 May 2007 in Cleft Palate Craniofac J, 44(3): 274-7.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2005-2008 Cleft Palate Research Today. All Rights Reserved.