One-year volume stability of human facial defects filled with a ß-tricalcium phosphate-hydroxyl apatite mixture (Atlantik).

INTRODUCTION: We investigated the applicability and 1-year stability of a ß-tricalcium phosphate-hydroxyl apatite mixture (Atlantik) for secondary reconstruction of craniofacial defects and the application of OsiriX in evaluating bone and implant volumes. METHODS: We included 6 patients (25-59 years) with craniofacial defects. A computed tomography scan was made preoperative, directly postoperative, and at least 1 year postoperative to evaluate volume changes. OsiriX was used to quantify volumes of the implanted Atlantik. Measurements were performed by 2 independent investigators and analyzed by calculating both Pearson correlation and interclass correlation coefficient. RESULTS: After 1 year, the mean volume reduction of the implanted Atlantik was 9.8%. The absolute volume reduction in 1 year was 0.38 cm (range, 0.10-0.69 cm(3)). Pearson correlation test was 0.996, with a significance level of P < 0.01, and the interclass correlation coefficient was 0.998. CONCLUSIONS: Atlantik is a stable osteoconductive material for the repair of various craniofacial defects. There is a reduction of only 10% of the augmented volume in the long term. Applying OsiriX for computed tomography image volume analysis proved to be a well-reproducible technique.

Retrospective analysis of clinical outcomes in bilateral cleft lip and palate patients after secondary alveolar bone grafting and premaxilla osteotomy, using a new dento-maxillary scoring system.

Evaluation of relevant clinical outcomes in patients with bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP) after secondary aveolar bone grafting (SABG) and premaxilla osteotomy (PMO), through the use of a new scoring system. Data were collected retrospectively from all patients with BCLP who were operated on between 2004 and 2014, at the end of follow-up. The treatment protocol consisted of SABG + PMO in patients aged between 9 and 13 years. At the end of follow-up, the following parameters were scored: (un)interrupted dental arch, skeletal sagittal relationship, bone height using the Bergland/Abyholm criteria, and the presence of postoperative fistula. These parameters were combined to produce a dento-maxillary scoring system, giving a final score between 1 and 10. For statistical analysis, the independent t-test was used. Of 55 children, 45 were suitable for analysis. The mean age at time of surgery was 12.0 years (8.9-16.4 yrs), and the mean follow-up time was 11.7 years (5.8-15.8 yrs). The average number of surgeries executed under general anesthesia was 6 (range: 3-11). The average dento-maxillary score in this patient cohort was 7.6 (1-10; median: 8). Among these patients, 31 had an uninterrupted dental arch; the average Bergland/Abyholm score was 2.07; 30 patients exhibited an Angle class I incisor relationship; and, in 38 cases, the oronasal communication was closed after SABG + PMO treatment. A significant effect of fistulas was seen on dento-maxillary score (p = 0.001). Specifically, a significant effect of fistulas was seen on interrupted dental arch (p = 0.002) and on Bergland/Abyholm score (p = 0.037). The proposed dento-maxillary scoring system is a straightforward tool that can be used to describe and analyze the amount of dento-maxillary rehabilitation at the end of the treatment. Persistence of oronasal fistulas in patients with BCLP has a significant impact on interruption of the dental arch, and can influence dental results at the end of the second decade.

Long-term follow-up study of patients with a unilateral complete cleft of lip, alveolus, and palate following the Utrecht treatment protocol: Dental arch relationships.

OBJECTIVE: This study sought to evaluate long-term dental arch relationships in adults with a unilateral complete cleft lip and palate (UCLP) treated by the Utrecht protocol and to compare results with the centers from the Eurocleft study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of UCLP patients age 17 or older, treated by two-stage palate closure at the Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, a tertiary center for cleft surgery in Utrecht, the Netherlands. Patients were invited to the clinic for a long-term evaluation. Casts were obtained on the day of follow-up and assessed by the modified Goslon Yardstick for permanent dentition. Dental casts were scored twice by 3 different examiners. RESULTS: Intra-rater agreement varied from 0.743 to 0.844, the inter-rater agreement from 0.552 to 0.718. The mean Goslon Yardstick score was 3.3. Thirty-three percent of the patients had a Goslon score of 1 or 2, 45% had a score of 4 or 5. CONCLUSIONS: The present study found unfavourable results regarding dental arch relationships after delayed hard palate closure at 3 years old. The mean Goslon Yardstick score was 3.3 (SD 1.4) and 45% of the casts were allocated to group 4 or 5 despite extensive orthodontic treatment. We observed a high number of secondary surgical interventions but no evident benefit regarding dental occlusion following the Utrecht treatment protocol, which includes a two-stage palatoplasty. Other factors than the timing of palate closure are likely of influence.

Long-Term Follow-Up Study of Young Adults Treated for Unilateral Complete Cleft Lip, Alveolus, and Palate by a Treatment Protocol Including Two-Stage Palatoplasty: Speech Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: No consensus exists on the optimal treatment protocol for orofacial clefts or the optimal timing of cleft palate closure. This study investigated factors influencing speech outcomes after two-stage palate repair in adults with a non-syndromal complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP). METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of adult patients with a UCLP who underwent two-stage palate closure and were treated at our tertiary cleft centre. Patients ≥17 years of age were invited for a final speech assessment. Their medical history was obtained from their medical files, and speech outcomes were assessed by a speech pathologist during the follow-up consultation. RESULTS: Forty-eight patients were included in the analysis, with a mean age of 21 years (standard deviation, 3.4 years). Their mean age at the time of hard and soft palate closure was 3 years and 8.0 months, respectively. In 40% of the patients, a pharyngoplasty was performed. On a 5-point intelligibility scale, 84.4% received a score of 1 or 2; meaning that their speech was intelligible. We observed a significant correlation between intelligibility scores and the incidence of articulation errors (P<0.001). In total, 36% showed mild to moderate hypernasality during the speech assessment, and 11%-17% of the patients exhibited increased nasalance scores, assessed through nasometry. CONCLUSIONS: The present study describes long-term speech outcomes after two-stage palatoplasty with hard palate closure at a mean age of 3 years old. We observed moderate long-term intelligibility scores, a relatively high incidence of persistent hypernasality, and a high pharyngoplasty incidence.