Lateral cephalometric measurements of Iranians with surgically repaired unilateral cleft lips and palates

OBJECTIVES

Since results of surgical correction of unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) are controversial, and there is no study in this regard among Iranians, this study was conducted to document lateral cephalometric measurements of such cases, with respect to age, gender, and cleft side.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, 45 lateral cephalographs of individuals with UCLP who had undergone surgery but not orthodontic treatment were traced and 30 skeletal, dental and soft-tissue cephalometric measurements were measured. Parameters were compared between patients with UCLP and cephalometric norms. They were also compared between males and females, two age groups (≤8 and>8 years), and sides of cleft using the Student's t-test.

RESULTS

Only S-N-Pog and U1-SN values were significantly different between this sample and cephalometric norms. The variables were not significantly different between males and females. However, the values of ANB, Wits appraisal, Go-Gn, Go-Pog, U1-SN, interincisal angle, distance of upper lip to Ricketts E-line, and nasopharyngeal depth were significantly different between patients≤8 and>8 years (P<0.05). The S-N-Pog angle, Wits appraisal, Go-Gn, Go-Pog, U1-SN, interincisal angle and hypopharyngeal depth were significantly different between patients with right- and left-side clefts (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Measurements of patients with repaired UCLP were similar to cephalometric norms except for two parameters.

[Secondary treatment of cleft lip and palate]

For 18 years our protocol has corrected the cleft lip nose and achieved an intravelar veloplasty at the time of the first operation, leaving the least scaring as possible. No doubt that the best treatment of the sequellae is their prevention: - the oro-nasal fistulas have disappeared; the nostril is almost normal; the continuity of a wide maxillary arch is restored in primary dentition - all that favor a nasal ventilation. This context has changed the nature of the secondary treatment described here. When lip and nose are not good enough we must address the residual deformities with the primary surgery principles. The velopharyngeal insufficiency calls for a velar re-repair and the pharyngeal depth is to be reduced by lipofilling. The rare cases of failure are improved by an Orticochea sphincteroplasty.

[Primary treatment of cleft lip and palate. Its fundamental principles]

If the multiplicity of functional protocols of cleft lip and palate treatment has been bewildering, it is now a source of learning. The lessons we can draw from them assist us to choose the best age for the primary surgery and a chronology that prevents the palate from the worst scaring. Eventually, with 18 years of follow-up, the best functional achievement comes unexpectedly from an ambitious primary rhinoplasty that had till now been condemned. Not only do the patients have good appearance and social integration, but the nasal mode of breathing established at the time of the primary surgery favors a good facial growth without any compromise. Reciprocally, all the interacting functions benefit from a nasal ventilation.

[Maxillary advancement osteotomy with sequelae cleft lip and palate: Dilemma between occlusion and aesthetic profile]

INTRODUCTION

Maxillary hypoplasia is a common sequela of cleft lip and palate. Its surgical treatment consists in a maxillary advancement by distraction or by conventional orthognathic surgery but morphological results are unpredictable. Our goal in this study was to see if the esthetical results (on the lip and the nose) of maxillary advancement were correlated to the preservation of lateral incisor space of the cleft side.

PATIENTS AND METHOD

This retrospective study included 38 patients operated between 2002 and 2013. Unilateral clefts were studied independently from bilateral clefts. Profile aesthetics was evaluated independently and subjectively by two surgeons and scored on an 8-point scale. The result was classified as "good" if the score was superior or equal to 6. The score was correlated to the following parameters: amount of maxillary advancement, upper incisor axis, preservation of the missing lateral incisor space.

RESULTS

In the "good result" group, the space of the lateral incisor was less often preserved. The nasolabial angle was more open and the upper central incisor axis more vertical. These results were more pronounced in bilateral clefts, but also found in unilateral clefts.

DISCUSSION

Under reservation of the subjective evaluation and of the small number of patients, it seemed that lateral incisor space closure improved the profile of patients treated by maxillary advancement for cleft lip and palate sequelae.

[Cleft rhinoplasty, from primary to secondary surgery]

Despite fifty years of statistics, congresses, publications, the cleft nose remains an enigma to the great majority of cleft specialists. Most of the published papers give recipes to camouflage the cleft deformity, very few are concerned by the functional anatomy and its relation with facial growth. The complexity of the matter, the results frequently disappointing, the lack of awareness of the necessity of early nasal breathing, and the academic condemnation of any imperfect attempt to correct the nose at the time of the first operation have led to resignation. For the last forty years, we have been involved in a careful and obstinate research about the early correction of the cleft nose deformity. We wish to present our conclusions in this chapter with at least 17 years of follow-up. They are as following: in cleft patients the nasal cartilages are only deformed. We can achieve sub periosteal and sub perichondrial dissections by 6 months of age without being harmful for facial and nasal growth. Repositioning accurately the nasal structures is enough if we are able to control the healing process and prevent endonasal wound contraction. We have not to do any compromise and favor one function with regard to the others, nasal ventilation being the most important for a good facial growth. In a word, nasal pediatric surgery is necessary at the time of the first operation from 6 months of age and should be carried on with a double demand, aesthetic and functional. To achieve this goal, we must have a sound knowledge of the cleft nose deformity, of the adequate surgical techniques and of the logic chronology to reach the best result. The nose repair cannot be limited to the nasal cartilages. The whole nasal structure is concerned especially its bony framework, the width of which at the level of the piriform orifice and the nasal floor depends on the outcomes of any surgical step that it would relate to the lip, palate or alveolar closure. Interaction of all these factors calls for an appropriate answer in adequation with the diagnosis of the deformity and a coherent answer as we know that any local action may induce an unfavorable chain reaction and should integrate a global and logic project. After the primary surgery, additional correction for aesthetic or functional purpose as well, may be useful during the period of growth. For cleft teenagers or adults, the rhinoplasty can simply be indicated for harmonization after a good primary nasal correction and optimal facial growth. On the contrary, the rhinoplasty may be more or less a complex operation for the usual and severe deformities. In the last case, the diagnosis must take into account all the residual deformities, even the labial and alveolar ones, and the treatment plan integrate all the principles and techniques of the primary surgery. What has not been done at the time of the primary surgery, should be done secondarily: all the structures are present, only deformed and embedded in scarred tissues. Primary or secondary cleft rhinoplasty must be undertaken by surgeons accustomed to cleft patients, but also trained in the other fields of nasal surgery, aesthetic and reconstructive.

[Orthognathic surgery for patients with cleft lip and palate]

Patients with cleft lip and palate frequently develop dento-facial deformity requiring orthognatic surgery. The origin of this deformity is therapeutic and surgeons are currently trying to prevent this iatrogenicity. The maxillary dento-facial deformity in these patients is a retrognathia with infragnathia, associated with endognathia, obliquity of the occlusal plane, with deviation of the superior incisive midline in case of unilateral clefts. The difficulties in the treatment of these skeletal deformities are due to the palatal, labial, and pterygomaxillary scar tissue. Orthognathic surgery is most of the time bimaxillary with a 3-dimensional movement of the jaws including maxillary advancement. The aims of surgery are occlusal, esthetic, and functional improvement. The first step is gingivoperiosteoplasty (ideally performed during childhood), orthodontic treatment including, if necessary, transversal maxillary distraction to obtain enough space to replace the lateral incisor; extraction of premolars should be avoided if possible. Planning and performing the treatment are difficult for the orthodontist and for the surgeon. Maxillary advancement by distraction may be an interesting alternative to prevent partial relapse. Obtaining normal oro-facial functions are required for a stable result. These should be monitored after the primary treatment by the whole staff, surgeons, speech therapist, and orthodontists. Performing Le Fort 1 osteotomy is more difficult than in other patients because of scar fibrosis than needs to be released.

Columellar flap for secondary cleft rhinoplasty with esthetic improvement of Millard's unilateral cheiloplasty scar

INTRODUCTION

Columellar cartilage graft helps improve esthetic results in secondary cleft rhinoplasty for patients presenting with cleft lips. However, inadequate skin coverage of the cartilaginous graft can result in columellar necrosis and graft loss. Moreover, the scar after Millard's primary cheiloplasty may not be esthetic. The aim of this article was to present the columellar flap technique to cover the columellar graft and to improve the scar after unilateral Millard's cheiloplasty.

TECHNICAL NOTE

The triangular flap is drawn on the edge of Millard's cheiloplasty scar. It is then moved in a V-Y fashion so as to cover the cartilaginous graft and improve the esthetic aspect of the new columella.

DISCUSSION

Four hundred and twelve teenage/adult rhinoplasties were performed in our department over 10 years (October 2001 to October 2011). This flap was used in 10 patients who were followed-up for at least 1 year. There were no severe postoperative complications. Millard's unilateral cheiloplasty scar was less visible. A prospective study is ongoing.