Early craniofacial morphology and growth in children with bilateral complete cleft lip and palate.

PURPOSE: Analysis of craniofacial morphology and growth in children with bilateral complete cleft lip and palate (BCCLP), compared with a control group with unilateral incomplete cleft lip (UICL), before any treatment as well as 20 months after lip closure. MATERIAL: The children were drawn from a group representing all Danish children with cleft born 1976 to 1981. Sixty-four children were included in the study (19 BCCLP and 45 UICL). The ages were 2 and 22 months at examinations 1 and 2, respectively. METHOD: The method of investigation was infant cephalometry in three projections. The craniofacial morphology was analyzed using linear, angular, and area variables. Growth was defined as the displacement vector from the coordinate of the corresponding landmark in the x-ray at examination 1 to its coordinate at examination 2, corrected for x-ray magnification. The growth of an anatomical region in a patient was assessed by investigating the growth pattern formed by a collection of individual growth vectors in that region. RESULTS: The BCCLP group differed significantly from the UICL group. The most striking findings in BCCLP were an extremely protruding premaxilla; markedly increased posterior maxillary width; increased width of the nasal cavity; short maxilla with reduced posterior height; short mandible; bimaxillary retrognathia; severe reduction in the size of the pharyngeal airway; and a more vertical facial growth pattern. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that a facial type including a wide and posterior short maxilla, short mandible, and bimaxillary retrognathia might be a liability factor that increases the probability of developing cleft lip and palate.

Craniofacial morphology and growth comparisons in children with Robin Sequence, isolated cleft palate, and unilateral complete cleft lip and palate.

OBJECTIVE: Comparison of early craniofacial morphology and growth in children with nonsyndromic Robin Sequence (RS), isolated cleft palate (ICP), and unilateral complete cleft lip and palate (UCCLP). SUBJECTS: One hundred eight children with cleft: 7 with RS, 53 with ICP, and 48 with UCCLP were included in the study. The children were drawn from the group of all Danish children with cleft born 1976 through 1981. METHOD: Three-projection infant cephalometry. RESULTS: The craniofacial morphology in the RS, ICP, and UCCLP groups had some common characteristics: a wide maxilla with decreased length and posterior height, wide nasal cavity, short mandible, bimaxillary retrognathia, and reduced pharyngeal airway. The shortest mandible was found in RS followed by ICP and UCCLP; the pharyngeal airway was reduced in RS and ICP, compared with UCCLP; and the maxillary complex and nasal cavity were wider in UCCLP than in the other groups. The amount of facial growth in all three groups was similar; however, the direction was more vertical in UCCLP than in RS and ICP. CONCLUSION: Except for a shorter RS mandible, the facial morphology of infants with RS and ICP was similar, as was the amount of facial growth and the growth pattern. The differences in facial morphology can be ascribed to the difference in the primary anomaly. The amount of facial growth was similar in the three groups; however, the growth pattern showed a more vertical direction in UCCLP than in RS and ICP. It is hypothesized that the mandibular retrognathia in RS represents the outer end of that of the ICP distribution.

Early craniofacial morphology and growth in children with nonsyndromic Robin Sequence.

PURPOSE: Craniofacial morphology and growth comparisons in children with untreated nonsyndromic Robin Sequence (RS) and a control group with unilateral incomplete cleft lip (UICL) in which the lip was surgically closed at 2 months of age. MATERIAL: The 52 children (7 RS and 45 UICL) included in the study were drawn from a group representing all Danish cleft children born 1976 through 1981. The ages of the children were 2 and 22 months at the time of examination 1 and 2, respectively. METHOD: The method of investigation was three-projection cephalometry. Craniofacial morphology was analyzed by means of linear, angular, and area variables. Growth at a specific anatomical location in a patient was defined as the displacement vector from the coordinate of the corresponding landmark at examination 1 to its coordinate at examination 2. RESULTS: The most striking findings in the RS group were markedly increased posterior maxillary width, increased width of the nasal cavity, short maxilla with reduced posterior height, short mandible, bimaxillary retrognathia, and severe reduction in size of the pharyngeal airway. The amount of facial growth was similar in the two groups; however, a tendency toward a more vertical growth direction was observed in the RS group. CONCLUSION: Facial morphology in children with RS differed significantly from that of children with UICL at both 2 and 22 months of age. The magnitude of facial growth was similar in the two groups, whereas a tendency toward a more vertical facial growth direction was observed in the RS group.

Early craniofacial morphology and growth in children with unoperated isolated cleft palate.

OBJECTIVE: Analysis of craniofacial morphology and growth in children with untreated isolated cleft palate (ICP) (cleft of the secondary palate only) at 2 and 22 months of age and comparison of the morphology and growth to that of a control group with unilateral incomplete cleft lip (UICL). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 98 cleft children (53 with ICP and 45 with UICL) drawn from a larger group representing all Danish children with cleft born in the period 1976 to 1981 were included in the study. Craniofacial morphology and growth were analyzed using three-projection infant cephalometry. RESULTS: The ICP group differed significantly from the UICL group. The most striking findings in the ICP group were: short maxilla; reduced posterior maxillary height; increased posterior maxillary width (in the 2-month-old); short mandible; reduced posterior height of the mandible; bimaxillary retrognathia; and reduced pharyngeal depth, height, and area. The facial growth pattern was fairly similar in the two groups except for a somewhat more vertical growth direction in the ICP group. CONCLUSION: The facial morphology in ICP children differs significantly from that of children with UICL of the same age. The differences in facial morphology can be ascribed to the difference in the primary anomaly in the ICP group. The facial growth pattern was fairly similar in the ICP and UICL group; however, a somewhat more vertical growth direction was observed in the ICP group.

Craniofacial comparisons in 22-month-old lip-operated children with unilateral complete cleft lip and palate and unilateral incomplete cleft lip.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to analyze the craniofacial morphology in infants with unilateral complete cleft lip and palate (UCCLP) in which the lip and the anterior part of the palate had been surgically closed at 2 months of age and to compare the morphology with that of a control group with unilateral incomplete cleft lip (UICL) in which the lip had also been surgically closed at 2 months of age. DESIGN: The sample consisted of a total of 108 cleft children all fulfilling the entry criteria, besides diagnosis, as follows: The child was of Danish origin; the age of the child was between 650 and 750 days (approximately 22 months) at the time of examination; the child was healthy except for its single cleft malformation; the surgical procedure in each group had been performed at about 2 months of age by the same surgeon. The surgical methods used were a Tennison procedure (UICL group) and a Tennison procedure supplemented by palatovomer plasty (UCCLP group). METHODS: The method of investigation was infant cephalometry in the lateral, frontal, and axial projections. Linear, angular, and area variables describing the craniofacial morphology were calculated and supplemented by mean plots from the cephalometric projections in the two groups. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Statistical analysis based on Student's t test showed that the facial morphology in the 22-month-old UCCLP group differed significantly from that of the UICL group. The most pronounced differences were found in the maxillary complex and the mandible. The deviations observed in the UCCLP group at 22 months of age were similar to those previously observed at 2 months of age. However, several of the dysmorphic traits had become less pronounced; some had remained the same; and a few had become worse with time.

Craniofacial growth in subjects with unilateral complete cleft lip and palate, and unilateral incomplete cleft lip, from 2 to 22 months of age.

This paper reports a longitudinal quantitative cephalometric analysis of the craniofacial growth in subjects with unilateral complete cleft lip and palate (UCCLP), and unilateral incomplete cleft lip (UICL), from 2 to 22 months of age. The purpose of the study was to determine the amount and direction of growth in UCCLP compared to UICL (control group) from 2 months of age (just prior to lip repair) to 22 months of age, 20 months later. The sample comprised of 49 subjects with UCCLP (37 males and 11 females) and 45 with UICL (29 males and 16 females). The cephalometric analysis of the craniofacial morphology included lateral, frontal, and axial projections. The data were presented as mean plots of the craniofacial region including the calvaria, cranial base, orbits, nasal bone, maxilla, mandible, cervical column, pharynx, and soft-tissue profile. A valid common coordinate system (registration according to the n-s line in the lateral projection, latero-orbitale line in the frontal projection, and meatus acusticus externus line in the axial projection for the landmark positions at examination 1 and 2) was ascertained. The growth at a specific anatomical location in a patient was defined as the displacement vector from the coordinate of the corresponding landmark in the X-ray at examination 1 to its coordinate at examination 2, corrected for X-ray magnification. The growth of an anatomical region in a patient was assessed by investigating the growth pattern formed by a collection of individual growth vectors in that region. The amount of growth in the UCCLP and UICL group was very similar. The general craniofacial growth pattern, in terms of the direction of growth, was also fairly similar in the UCCLP group and the control group. However, the maxilla and mandible showed a more vertical growth pattern than that observed in the control group. This study confirms that UCCLP is a localized deviation, and not a craniofacial anomaly, due to the fact that a normal growth potential has been observed in all craniofacial regions, except where the growth had been directly influenced by surgical intervention. Furthermore, the vertical growth pattern of the maxilla and mandible supports the hypothesis of a special facial type in cleft lip and palate individuals, and the facial type as a liability factor increasing the probability of cleft lip and palate.

A comparison of the craniofacial morphology in 2-month-old unoperated infants with unilateral complete cleft lip and palate, and unilateral incomplete cleft lip.

This paper reports a cephalometric analysis of the craniofacial morphology in infants with unoperated unilateral complete cleft lip and palate (UCCLP) and unoperated unilateral incomplete cleft lip (UICL). The purpose of the study was to determine the nature and extent of the craniofacial deviations in UCCLP as compared to the morphology in UICL, which has previously been shown to be close to normal. The samples comprised 82 infants with UCCLP (58 males and 24 females) and 75 with UICL (48 males and 27 females). The mean age was about 2 months in both groups. The cephalometric analysis of craniofacial morphology included the lateral, frontal, and axial projections. The data were presented as mean plots of the craniofacial region including the calvaria, cranial base, orbits, nasal bone, maxilla, mandible, cervical column, pharynx, and soft-tissue profile. The most pronounced deviations in the UCCLP group were observed in the maxillary complex and the mandible. The most striking findings were: markedly increased width of the maxilla, a short mandible, and bimaxillary retrognathia except for the premaxillary area, which was relatively protruding and asymmetric. The study did not support the hypothesis previously suggested in the literature that cleft lip and palate is a craniofacial anomaly as size and shape of the calvaria and cranial base were found to be normal. The etiology of cleft lip and palate is still incompletely understood. Based on the present study, we suggest that facial type may be a liability factor that could represent a developmental threshold increasing the probability of cleft lip and palate.

Anophthalmia-microphthalmia-oblique clefting syndrome: confirmation of the Fryns anophthalmia syndrome.

We describe a patient with bilateral extreme microphthalmia with bilateral congenital glaucoma, bilateral medial oblique facial cleft ending in lid colobomas, bilateral stenosis of the choanae, bifid uvula, frontal encephalocele, and premature craniosynostosis. The cause is unknown, but the phenotype resembles the Fryns anophthalmia-plus syndrome, which may be a recessive trait, although intrauterine environmental factors cannot be excluded.

The parameters of care for cleft lip and palate patients in Aarhus, Denmark.

Aarhus Cleft Palate Institute receives approximately 75 new cleft patients a year. Due to statuary notification of all newborn cleft patients to the Institute, the treatment protocol can be offered to the family from right after birth, and a coordinated team approach can be established. The individually planned primary surgery, speech and growth of the maxillo-facial skeleton is followed by regular team examinations. Speech development is followed from the child is one year old in order to be able to provide speech assessment as soon as problems of hypernasality and articulation disorders or language delay is evident. One of the goals of speech assessment is to achieve acceptable speech as early as possible and at best before school start. Orthodontic treatment is usually started at 8 years of age, in UCLP and BCLP patients in combination with bonegrafting at 9-11 years of age. In patients with impaired growth of the maxilla, attention is paid to identify candidates for orthognathic surgical treatment as early as possible. All secondary surgical treatment on jaws, lips and nose are coordinated and usually the treatment can be finished by the late teens. The described team approach towards the parameters of care for cleft lip and palate patients has basically been used for more than 50 years. A systematic follow-up and data collection on all patients provide a scientific base for evaluation of treatment results. Based on long-term investigations the protocol has gradually been modified during time to improve the quality of patient care.

Lip and nose morphology in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate from four Scandinavian centres.

Sixty patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate were compared for lip and nose appearance. All patients were photographed from an anteroposterior and a basal view at 7-10 years of age. The photographic registration method was tested for validity and accuracy. Although the four groups of 15 patients each were treated according to different protocols, many similarities were found with shorter lip heights at the cleft side and inclination of the rima oris. Asymmetry of nose and retropositioning at the cleft side naris were generally seen. Significantly straighter noses were demonstrated in the group treated with a two-stage lip nose operation combined with nose plugs, and the two groups where vomer flaps were used showed the greatest deviation of the nose.

Craniofacial and occlusal characteristics in unilateral cleft lip and palate patients from four Scandinavian centres.

Craniofacial morphology and dental occlusion were studied at early school age in 15 consecutive patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate from each of four Scandinavian cleft centres. Treatment differed mainly in the techniques of palatal repair. Push-back closure of the palate particularly impaired maxillary development, which resulted in an increased incidence of crossbite and reduced intercanine distance when compared with patients who had been operated on by the von Langenbeck method or in whom the anterior palate had not yet been closed.

Evaluation of unilateral cleft lip and palate treatment: long term results.

Fifty-seven consecutive complete unilateral cleft lip and palate patients were followed longitudinally from birth to 21 years of age. All patients were operated with the same primary surgical procedures. Reevaluation at age 21 with respect to speech, dental condition, need for secondary surgery, and skeletal and soft tissue facial growth was completed. Speech results indicated that 13 patients (23 percent) had required a pharyngeal flap, and that at age 21 only one patient still had unacceptable speech. The majority of patients had slight speech disturbances related to articulation and voice quality. Fifty-one patients had acceptable occlusion following orthodontic treatment, twenty-two patients (39 percent) without need for prosthodontic treatment of the cleft area. Secondary surgery for correction of nasal deformities was required for fifty-two patients. Growth analysis demonstrated deficiency in growth; however, normal and acceptable profiles were obtained in 50/57 of the patients.

The effect of pulsed electromagnetic energy (Diapulse) on the survival of experimental skin flaps. A study on rats.

Experimental skin flaps in rats were treated with an active/non-active Diapulse unit in a double-blind trial to clarify whether or not pulsed electromagnetic energy had any effect on the surviving length of flaps. The observed differences in surviving flap areas between the Diapulse treated group and the untreated group as compared to the predicted survival by fluoresceine and/or vital capillary television microscopy were not statistically significant (p less than 0.10) in a set up, that on a significance level of 5%, would have detected an enhancement of flap survival of greater than or equal to 10% in 98% of trials.