An assessment and comparison of nasolabial aesthetics in bilateral clefts using the anatomical subunit-based scale: a nasoalveolar moulding versus non-nasoalveolar moulding study.

Nasoalveolar moulding is a presurgical orthopaedic technique used to improve the outcomes of bilateral clefts. However, the lack of a validated scale tailored to bilateral clefts makes it difficult to quantify the merits of nasoalveolar moulding and compare it to other techniques. In this study, a recently published anatomical subunit scale was used to evaluate and compare the early effects of nasoalveolar moulding. Two groups of similarly treated bilateral cleft patients were included: one in which patients underwent presurgical nasoalveolar moulding and one in which they did not. The nasolabial aesthetics were evaluated on two-dimensional photographs at 6 months post cheiloplasty. Cupid's bow, vermilion symmetry, vermilion notching, premaxillary show at rest, scar aesthetics, columella height, columella height, and bialar width were all significantly better in the nasoalveolar moulding group. Using the new scale, it was found that nasolabial aesthetics at 6 months post cheiloplasty were significantly better in patients who had undergone nasoalveolar moulding in infancy.

A novel semi-automatic segmentation protocol for volumetric assessment of alveolar cleft grafting procedures.

A novel protocol for volumetric assessment of alveolar cleft grafting procedures is presented. Eleven cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) datasets of patients who underwent secondary alveolar cleft reconstructive surgery for a unilateral alveolar cleft were evaluated by two investigators. Residual bone volumes 1 year after surgery were analysed using a semi-automated technique in which preoperative CBCT datasets were superimposed on the postoperative scans using voxel-based registration. To define the correct boundaries of the alveolar cleft defect in the preoperative CBCT dataset, a mirror image of the preoperative CBCT dataset was superimposed on the preoperative CBCT dataset. For the difference in residual bone volume between the two observers, an intraclass correlation of 0.98 and a Dice coefficient of 0.89 were found. This study describes a reliable segmentation protocol for volumetric analysis of the alveolar cleft defect in patients with a unilateral alveolar cleft.

Volumetric assessment of alveolar clefts: a literature review.

OBJECTIVE: To conduct a review of the literature on methods for volumetric assessment of alveolar clefts and ascertain which methods are most precise to guide future research. METHODS: The PubMed and MEDLINE databases were searched for English-language reports of clinical and in vitro studies with detailed descriptions of imaging modality, sample characteristics, and method for measurement of alveolar cleft volume. RESULTS: The search strategy yielded 34 articles, of which 14 were selected for in-depth analysis. According to the findings of computed tomography (CT)-based studies, the CT modalities and software employed for assessment were deemed reliable and satisfactory. CONCLUSIONS: Measurement of alveolar cleft volume by the proposed methods and using the equipment and software employed in the analyzed studies has high efficacy and efficiency and can be safely used for cleft lip and palate treatment planning.

Osteogenesis effect of guided bone regeneration combined with alveolar cleft grafting: assessment by cone beam computed tomography.

Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) allows for a significantly lower radiation dose than conventional computed tomography (CT) scans and provides accurate images of the alveolar cleft area. The osteogenic effect of guided bone regeneration (GBR) vs. conventional alveolar bone grafting alone for alveolar cleft defects was evaluated in this study. Sixty alveolar cleft patients were divided randomly into two groups. One group underwent GBR using acellular dermal matrix film combined with alveolar bone grafting using iliac crest bone grafts (GBR group), while the other group underwent alveolar bone grafting only (non-GBR group). CBCT images were obtained at 1 week and at 3 months following the procedure. Using Simplant 11.04 software, the bone resorption rate was calculated and compared between the two groups. The bone resorption rate from 1 week to 3 months following bone grafting without the GBR technique was 36.50±5.04%, whereas the bone resorption rate using the GBR technique was 31.69±5.50% (P=0.017). The application of autogenous iliac bone combined with the GBR technique for alveolar bone grafting of alveolar cleft patients can reduce bone resorption and result in better osteogenesis.

A novel semiautomatic technique for volumetric assessment of the alveolar bone defect using cone beam computed tomography.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were (1) to determine the three-dimensional anatomical boundaries of the alveolar bone defect in cleft lip and palate (CLP) patients, (2) to precisely translate these anatomical boundaries into reliable cephalometric landmarks and planes that can be used for cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) analysis, (3) to standardize image acquisition and reconstruction parameters, and (4) to test the reproducibility of the proposed protocol for measuring the predefined alveolar bone defect, using a third-party software. METHODS: The alveolar bone defect volume of 10 randomly selected patients with unilateral CLP (UCLP) aged 8 years and 6 months to 11 years and 2 months was evaluated on preoperative and 1-year postoperative CBCT scans using a semiautomatic, standardized protocol. The alveolar bone graft outcome was calculated as a percentage of the bone fill using the formula (VOLpre - VOLpost)/VOLpre) × 100. Intra- and interobserver reliability was assessed. RESULTS: Intra- and interobserver reproducibility was excellent for volumes and bone fill as no statistically significant difference (P < .001) was seen between the different sets of measurements, and Pearson correlation coefficients were large (intraobserver: r > .9849, interobserver: r > .8784). The Bland-Altman plots indicated that the differences between the plots were not patterned. CONCLUSIONS: Volume determination using CBCT, third-party medical image processing software, and the presently defined image acquisition and reconstruction parameters, including anatomical boundaries, is a reproducible and practical method for assessing the volumetric outcome of secondary alveolar bone grafting in patients with UCLP.

Assessment of presurgical clefts and predicted surgical outcome in patients treated with and without nasoalveolar molding.

Obtaining an esthetic and functional primary surgical repair in patients with complete cleft lip and palate (CLP) can be challenging because of tissue deficiencies and alveolar ridge displacement. This study aimed to describe surgeons' assessments of presurgical deformity and predicted surgical outcomes in patients with complete unilateral and bilateral CLP (UCLP and BCLP, respectively) treated with and without nasoalveolar molding (NAM). Cleft surgeon members of the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association completed online surveys to evaluate 20 presurgical photograph sets (frontal and basal views) of patients with UCLP (n = 10) and BCLP (n = 10) for severity of cleft deformity, quality of predicted surgical outcome, and likelihood of early surgical revision. Five patients in each group (UCLP and BCLP) received NAM, and 5 patients did not receive NAM. Surgeons were masked to patient group. Twenty-four percent (176/731) of surgeons with valid e-mail addresses responded to the survey. For patients with UCLP, surgeons reported that, for NAM-prepared patients, 53.3% had minimum severity clefts, 58.9% were anticipated to be among their best surgical outcomes, and 82.9% were unlikely to need revision surgery. For patients with BCLP, these percentages were 29.8%, 38.6%, and 59.9%, respectively. Comparing NAM-prepared with non-NAM-prepared patients showed statistically significant differences (P < 0.001), favoring NAM-prepared patients. This study suggests that cleft surgeons assess NAM-prepared patients as more likely to have less severe clefts, to be among the best of their surgical outcomes, and to be less likely to need revision surgery when compared with patients not prepared with NAM.

Presurgical infant orthopedics.

This article focuses on current practices and controversy in the area of presurgical infant orthopedics in patients born with cleft lip and palate.

Comparison between multislice and cone-beam computerized tomography in the volumetric assessment of cleft palate.

The aim of this study was to determine the applicability of multislice and cone-beam computerized tomography (CT) in the assessment of bone defects in patients with oral clefts. Bone defects were produced in 9 dry skulls to mimic oral clefts. All defects were modeled with wax. The skulls were submitted to multislice and cone-beam CT. Subsequently, physical measurements were obtained by the Archimedes principle of water displacement of wax models. The results demonstrated that multislice and cone-beam CT showed a high efficiency rate and were considered to be effective for volumetric assessment of bone defects. It was also observed that both CT modalities showed excellent results with high reliability in the study of the volume of bone defects, with no difference in performance between them. The clinical applicability of our research has shown these CT modalities to be immediate and direct, and they is important for the diagnosis and therapeutic process of patients with oral cleft.

An assessment of orofacial clefts in Tanzania.

BACKGROUND: Clefts of the lip (CL), the palate (CP), or both (CLP) are the most common orofacial congenital malformations found among live births, accounting for 65% of all head and neck anomalies. The frequency and pattern of orofacial clefts in different parts of the world and among different human groups varies widely. Generally, populations of Asian or Native American origin have the highest prevalence, while Caucasian populations show intermediate prevalence and African populations the lowest. To date, little is known regarding the epidemiology and pattern of orofacial clefts in Tanzania. METHODS: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted at Bugando Medical Centre to identify all children with orofacial clefts that attended or were treated during a period of five years. Cleft lip and/or palate records were obtained from patient files in the Hospital's Departments of Surgery, Paediatrics and medical records. Age at presentation, sex, region of origin, type and laterality of the cleft were recorded. In addition, presence of associated congenital anomalies or syndromes was recorded. RESULTS: A total of 240 orofacial cleft cases were seen during this period. Isolated cleft lip was the most common cleft type followed closely by cleft lip and palate (CLP). This is a departure from the pattern of clefting reported for Caucasian and Asian populations, where CLP or isolated cleft palate is the most common type. The distribution of clefts by side showed a statistically significant preponderance of the left side (43.7%) (χ2 = 92.4, p < 0.001), followed by the right (28.8%) and bilateral sides (18.3%). Patients with isolated cleft palate presented at very early age (mean age 1.00 years, SE 0.56). Associated congenital anomalies were observed in 2.8% of all patients with orofacial clefts, and included neural tube defects, Talipes and persistent ductus arteriosus. CONCLUSIONS: Unilateral orofacial clefts were significantly more common than bilateral clefts; with the left side being the most common affected side. Most of the other findings did not show marked differences with orofacial cleft distributions in other African populations.

A quantitative radiological assessment of outcomes of autogenous bone graft combined with platelet-rich plasma in the alveolar cleft.

This longitudinal study evaluated the outcomes of secondary autogenous bone graft combined with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in the alveolar cleft. Thirty-five alveolar clefts in 30 patients with grafted autogenous bone and PRP (PRP group), and 36 clefts in 30 patients with grafted autogenous bone alone (non-PRP group) were enrolled. PRP was extracted from autogenous blood using a plasma centrifuge system (SmartPReP SMP-1000). The density and resorption of grafted bone were evaluated at 1 week, and 1, 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively. Bone density was quantitatively assessed as an aluminum-equivalence (Al-Eq) value. Moreover, relationships between bone resorption rate and prognostic factors were discussed. Al-Eq values decreased significantly until 3 months, and then increased up to 12 months in both groups. The Al-Eq rate in the PRP group was significantly smaller than that in the non-PRP group at 3 months. No significant differences were observed in the bone resorption rate between the groups. Regarding prognostic factors, continuous mechanical stress affected bone resorption with or without PRP. The authors suggest that PRP may enhance bone remodeling in the early phase, however, PRP seems to be insufficient as a countermeasure against bone resorption following secondary bone graft in the long term.

Stabilization of a mobile premaxilla by cementing a bite splint with 1-stage bilateral alveolar bone grafting.

This study describes a method for stabilizing maxillary segments by performing bilateral alveolar bone grafting with an acrylic splint with a flat undersurface to reduce the occlusal pressure to the premaxilla. After premaxilla repositioning and bilateral alveolar bone grafting, the splint was attached to the maxillary teeth with glass ionomer cement. In 6 bilateral cleft cases, premaxilla repositioning and bilateral alveolar bone grafting were performed in 1-stage manner, and successful results were obtained. This easy and cost-effective procedure enabled rigid fixation of the insecure premaxilla with no complications during the treatment period.

Long-term radiographic assessment of secondary alveolar bone grafting outcomes in patients with alveolar clefts.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the outcomes of secondary alveolar bone grafting (SABG) in patients with complete, unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) operated on before eruption of the permanent canine. STUDY DESIGN: Sixty-five periapical radiographs from 41 patients with left UCLP and 24 with right UCLP (9 to 12 years old at SABG), were analyzed retrospectively for the amount of bone in the cleft site according to the Bergland and Chelsea scales, and for the occurrence of canine eruption (CE) through the neoformed bone. RESULTS: Of the cases, 71% were classified as Bergland type I and Chelsea type A; 15% as types II/C, and 14% could not be classified. CE was observed in 95% of the cases operated on 4 years before the study. CONCLUSIONS: SABG performed before CE is a procedure with a high rate of success. The radiographic scales proved to be important instruments for assessing surgical outcomes.

Placement of endosseous implants into bone-grafted alveolar clefts: assessment of bone bridge after autogenous particulate cancellous bone and marrow graft.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the bone quantity of alveoli grafted with autogenous particulate cancellous bone and marrow for implant placement in patients with alveolar clefts. Bone height, bone width, and interdental alveolar crest level were evaluated using computed tomography and periapical radiographs. The grafted alveoli underwent resorption 3-dimensionally, and the interdental alveolar crest level also decreased. The latter seemed to be the critical factor for implant surgery, as almost half of the grafted alveoli required another bone graft within 24 months after the original bone graft to increase the interdental alveolar crest level for endosseous implant placement. These data suggest that alveoli grafted with particulate cancellous bone and marrow are suitable for implant placement, but that the loss of width and height of the bone bridge must also be considered.

Radiographic assessment of secondary autogenous alveolar bone grafting in cleft lip and palate patients.

OBJECTIVE: To assess if a 4-point, radiographically based scale could be used between operators to reliably assess the success of secondary alveolar bone grafting. DESIGN: The study was retrospective with the clinicians blind to patient identity. Radiographs were examined twice by two clinicians with 1 week between assessments. SETTING: The research was carried out in a hospital-based orthodontic/oral and maxillofacial unit. PATIENTS: All patients who had secondary alveolar bone grafting in this unit between February 1992 and March 1995 were included in this study. There were 38 patients with a total of 48 grafted sites. INTERVENTIONS: The bone graft site was radiographed following orthodontic expansion prior to grafting. The radiograph was repeated postoperatively at a mean of 4 months after surgery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The degree of bony fill in the cleft area was assessed using a 4-point scale: Grade 1 > 75% bony fill; Grade 2 50-75% bony fill; Grade 3 < 50% bony fill; Grade 4 no complete bony bridge. RESULTS: Overall, 50% of grafts achieved grade 1, 23% were grade 2, 22% grade 3, and 5% grade 4. Levels of intra- and inter-observer agreement were highly variable (.33 to .72 kappa statistic). CONCLUSIONS: The 4-point scale described could be used to assess the success of autogenous secondary alveolar bone grafting. It showed moderate to substantial intra-observer agreement, and fair-to-moderate inter-observer agreement.

Cleft cluster: a strategy for concurrent correction of multiple secondary clefting deformities.

We have developed a strategy for concurrent correction of multiple secondary clefting deformities based on the model proposed by Henderson and Jackson [1] which combines several cleft-related procedures. We have expanded this concept significantly to include as many as eleven procedures. The selected procedures are dictated individually by patients' needs. The constellation of corrective cleft-related surgeries has been given the name "cleft cluster" in the interest of simplicity. We are reporting on our experience with 85 consecutive patients using this approach. All patients in this series received bone grafting of the alveolar cleft as the primary procedure, plus multiple additional procedures as necessary. None of the patients reported received primary lip or palate surgery by the authors. The average number of procedures performed was 7.2. The average hospitalization was 4.1 days. The patients have been followed from 1 to 7 yrs. The fistula recurrence rate was 8%. Average patient age was 16.8 yrs with a range of 8 to 54 yrs. This approach eliminates multiple hospitalizations and outpatient procedures, allows flexibility to individualize patient care, provides consistent results, and is cost-effective.

Alternative technique of constructing bilateral cleft palate in late childhood: a case report and literature review.

Although great advances in treatment of oro-facial clefts have been made over the past 50 years; in developing countries, due to social stigmas and unavailability of specialised medical facilities and personnel to the majority of the population, there is an increasing incidence of patients coming late for repair of oro-facial clefts. This presents a challenge to both plastic, oral surgeons and associated specialists. The aim of the present article is to demonstrate, in the form of a case report, an alternative surgical technique that has be successful in 8 cases for the late repair of severe bilateral cleft palate utilizing locally available and affordable materials. The objective of managing patients with cleft palate in developing countries is to provide the best repair and rehabilitation with as few operations and in-patient care as possible due to limited financial resources experienced by the majority of in-patients. A multidisciplinary approach to the management of oro-facial clefts is emphasised.

Craniofacial development in children with unilateral clefts of the lip, alveolus, and palate treated according to three different regimes. Assessment of nasolabial appearance.

From extraoral photographs taken from the front and in profile of 61 16-year old children with unilateral cleft lip, alveolus, and palate (UCLAP) who had been treated by three different treatment regimes, the nasolabial appearances were assessed by a panel. The photographs were masked, leaving only the mid face including the nose and lips. The following features were assessed using a five point scale: nasal form, symmetry of the nose, vermilion of the upper lip, shape of the vermilion border, total symmetry of upper lip, and nasal profile including the upper lip. The number and type of secondary operations required were recorded. Intraobserver reliability was good but interobserver agreement was poor, some observers systematically scoring more severely than others. A panel of six was therefore set up to establish an acceptable mean assessment. The treatment regime that included secondary bone grafting, and the one that included primary bone grafting and presurgical orthopaedic-T-traction, scored better on all features assessed compared with the group that underwent primary bone grafting but no T-traction. The latter group required fewer secondary revisionary procedures, however, which could explain these results.

Characteristics of new patients at Illinois cleft palate teams.

The Illinois Association of Craniofacial Teams (IACT) surveyed all new patient visits to member teams in an effort to assess the needs of patients in Illinois. The survey determined the number of patients, their age at initial visit, the location and status of their defect, and their history of team visits. Four hundred eighty new patient visits were recorded. The number of patients was substantially lower than expected, and the large majority of older children seeing a team for the first time had repaired defects. It is concluded that the main opportunity for improving the quality of care for patients with clefts in Illinois may be in increasing the use of cleft palate teams.