Distraction osteogenesis in the maxilla for a patient with a repaired cleft lip and palate: A case report

Surgical Planning for Cleft Lip and/or Palate-Induced Moderate-to-Severe Midfacial Hypoplasia

BACKGROUND

Distraction osteogenesis and conventional bimaxillary orthognathic surgery have been performed for the treatment of midfacial hypoplasia for a long time. However, the effect of these 2 techniques on the maxilla, mandible, and whole-facial profile is significantly different. In this study, we aimed to measure the pre- to post-treatment changes in maxillary prominence, mandible size, and facial length and compare them between these 2 techniques to inform selection of the best technique.

METHODS

This single-center, retrospective study included 35 patients with a cleft lip and/or palate-induced midfacial hypoplasia; 25 were treated using rigid external distraction osteogenesis and 10 using bimaxillary orthognathic surgery. Three-dimensional measures of changes in facial structure were obtained from reconstructed computed tomography images and used to compare the effects of the 2 techniques.

RESULTS

Satisfactory appearance and occlusion were achieved in all patients. Three-dimensional reconstruction of the craniofacial skeleton revealed significant maxillary advancement (P < 0.001), mandibular (clockwise) rotation (P < 0.001), and increased facial length (P < 0.001) after rigid external distraction osteogenesis and obvious shortening of the mandibular body (P < 0.001) after bimaxillary orthognathic surgery.

CONCLUSION

Distraction osteogenesis can be selected as the first choice of treatment for cleft lip and/or palate-induced midfacial hypoplasia. A mandibular setback procedure can be performed as a second-stage surgery when severe temporomandibular joint complications develop with distraction osteogenesis. Bimaxillary orthognathic surgery results in an obvious shortening of the mandibular body, which is not a natural change in facial morphology.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic III.

Maxillary Distraction Osteogenesis in Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate Patients with Rigid External Distraction System

Aim:

Distraction osteogenesis (DO) is a treatment option for patients with maxillary hypoplasia secondary to cleft lip and palate (CLP).

Purpose:

The aim of this study is to present a technique for maxillary DO using Le Fort I osteotomy with rigid external distraction (RED) system.

Subjects and Methods:

The patient presented in this paper was an Asian female with CLP aged 13 years and 6 months. She presented with severe midfacial deficiency with a Class III dental malocclusion with a negative overjet and concave facial profile. Cone-beam computed tomography images were recorded preoperatively and the operation performed involved a high Le Fort I osteotomy. The appliance fabricated was banded to upper first molars used for anchorage of the RED system. Distraction of the maxilla was initiated after 7-day latency period.

Results:

Postoperative cephalometric analysis showed maxillary advancement anteriorly and superiorly, the total distraction treatment period was 10 days. The maxillary advancement was 10.5 mm and the SNA angle increased from 67.5° to 77.9°. Furthermore, the ANB angle changed from −9.8° to 1.6° and the occlusion changed from Class III to Class I. The profile of the face changed from concave to convex and a much better esthetic result was achieved.

Conclusion:

The study suggests RED system to be a reliable alternative procedure for the treatment of midfacial hypoplasia with or without cleft. Furthermore, it minimizes the risk of the surgical procedure and shortens the operating time.