Prediction of orthognathic surgery need in children with unilateral cleft lip palate : Dental arch relationships and 5-year-olds' index

Objective To evaluate whether dental arch relationships at 6 years of age can categorize treatment outcome and predict later need for orthognathic surgery in children with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP). Setting and sample population A retrospective longitudinal single-centre study. The study sample comprised 70 consecutive non-syndromic children (47 boys) with complete UCLP operated on by pushback techniques during 1981-1989 and followed until early adulthood in the same cleft centre. Materials and methods Dental casts and maxillomandibular relationships were assessed before orthodontic treatment and secondary alveolar bone grafting at mean age 6.1 years (range 5.6-6.8) using the 5-year-olds' index and lateral cephalograms. The need for orthognathic surgery was retrieved from patient files. Student's t test, Pearson's correlation, and Kappa statistics were used in statistical analyses. Results Orthognathic surgery frequency was 41% (29/70). Those needing orthognathic surgery comprised all 3 patients with an index score of 5 (very poor), 14 of 17 (82%) scoring 4 (poor), 10 of 26 (38%) scoring 3 (fair), and 2 of 19 (11%) scoring 2 (good). Of the five patients with index score 1 (excellent), none needed osteotomies. The mean index score was 2.9. The score was significantly better in those without orthognathic surgery (2.4 versus 3.6). A significant negative correlation existed between the 5-year-olds' index and cephalometric angles ANB and anb. Conclusion The use of 5-year-olds' index may help to predict treatment outcome and the clinical need for orthognathic surgery especially in patients with the lowest and highest index scores.Peer reviewe

Dental Age, Agenesis, and Morphology in Patients With Operated Single-Suture Craniosynostoses

Peer reviewe

Additional squamosal suture synostosis and segmented intracranial volume in patients with non-syndromic sagittal synostosis

PurposeTo evaluate the incidence of squamosal suture synostosis (SQS) in children with non-syndromic sagittal synostosis and to evaluate whether the additional SQS affects the intracranial volume (ICV).MethodsThirty-four consecutive patients (23 boys) who had been operated by cranial vault remodelling because of sagittal synostosis were compared retrospectively from 3D-CT imaging data sets obtained from volumetric CT. The mean age of the patients at preoperative CT imaging was 0.48 (range 0.13-1.3) years. Mann-Whitney U test was used in the statistical analyses.ResultsSagittal synostosis was combined with SQS in four children (11.7%) but the additional SQS did not affect the ICV. SQS was unilateral in all children, two were located on the right and two on the left side. The length of the SQS varied between 4 and 27mm. The children with SQS had a shorter sagittal suture synostosis length ratio (length of synostosis/total sagittal suture lengthx100) than those without SQS.ConclusionsThe incidence of SQS in non-syndromic sagittal synostosis was 11.7% but SQS did not affect the ICV.Peer reviewe

Early experience of wafer-free Le Fort I osteotomy with patient-specific implants in cleft lip and palate patients

Summary Purpose The use of virtual surgical planning and patient-specific saw and drill guides combined with customized osteosynthesis is becoming a gold standard in orthognathic surgery. The aim of this study is to report preliminary results of the use of virtual surgical planning and wafer-free PSI technique in cleft patients. Materials and methods Patient-specific saw and drill guides combined with milled patient-specific 3D titanium alloy implants were used in reposition and fixation in Le Fort I osteotomy of 12 cleft patients. Surgical information was retrieved from hospital records. Pre- and postoperative lateral cephalograms were analyzed. Results In ten of 12 cases, the implants fitted as planned to predesigned drill holes and bone contours with high precision. In one patient, the mobilization of the maxilla was too demanding for virtually planned advancement and the implants could not be used. In another patient PSI fitting was impaired due to an insufficient mobilization of maxilla and tension on PSI fixation with screws. After the surgery the mean advancement of the anterior maxilla (point A) of all patients was 5.8 mm horizontally (range 2.7–10.1) and -3.1 mm vertically (range -9.2–3.4). Skeletal relationships of the maxilla and mandible could be corrected successfully in all patients except for the one whose PSI could not be used. Conclusions Virtual surgical planning combined with PSI is a possible useful clinical adjunct for correction of maxillary hypoplasia in cleft patients. Large maxillary advancements and scarring may be cause problems for desired advancement and for the use of implants.Peer reviewe

Pierre Robin Sequence : Incidence of Speech-Correcting Surgeries and Fistula Formation

Objective: Children with Pierre Robin sequence (PRS) and cleft palate have a high rate of velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) following primary palatoplasty. Our purpose was to determine the long-term incidence of speech-correcting surgeries (SCSs) and fistula rates in PRS after primary palatoplasty and the influence of possible causal factors. Design: A retrospective single-center, observational chart review study. Participants: After exclusion, the study cohort comprised 78 nonsyndromic PRS children (48 females) born between 1990 and 2009 and treated at the Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Center of Helsinki University Hospital, Finland. Causal factors included gender, surgeon, age at primary palatoplasty, surgical technique, airway obstruction in infancy, and cleft severity. We analyzed the outcome at age 8 years and at data retrieval, with a median follow-up of 14 years (range: 8-27 years). Results: Thirty-four (43.6%) children received SCS by age 8 years, and of the 19 (24.4%) postoperative fistulas, 6 (7.7%) underwent closure. At data retrieval, 37 (47.4%) children had undergone SCS and 8 (10.3%) had a fistula closure. Median age at SCS was 6 years. The results showed no significant association for gender, surgeon, age at primary palatoplasty, surgical technique, cleft severity, or airway obstruction in infancy regarding incidence of SCS, fistulas, or repaired fistulas. Conclusion: Pierre Robin sequence in children is associated with a high incidence of SCS and fistula formation, which necessitates accurate clinical follow-up and observation of speech development. The development of VPI in PRS is complex and most likely involving multiple factors.Peer reviewe

Taurodontism in the first permanent molars in Van der Woude syndrome compared to isolated cleft palate

Objectives: To analyse prevalence, pattern, and severity of taurodontism in individuals with Van der Woude syndrome (VWS) exhibiting cleft palate and compare with aged-matched non-syndromic cleft palate (NSCP) and non-cleft controls. Materials and methods: One hundred and seventy-eight dental panoramic tomographs (DPTs) (105 girls and 73 boys) consisting of 42 VWS patients (x = 8.55 +/- 1.02 years), 42 NSCP patients (x = 8.59 +/- 1.02 years), and 94 normative non-cleft children (x = 8.79 +/- 1.16 years) were assessed and their first permanent molars evaluated. Measurement 3 of the taurodontism index developed by Shifman and Chanannel with the Tulensalo modification was used. Prevalence, pattern, and severity were compared between groups. Statistical differences were determined by one-way analysis of variance and Fisher test. Repeatability was calculated by Cohens Kappa test. Results: The prevalence of taurodontic molars was 59.5% in VWS, 45.2% in NSCP, and 26.6% in non-cleft controls.The prevalence and severity of taurodontism in VWS and NSCP were significantly higher than in non-cleft children in all first permanent molars. There was no significant difference in prevalence and severity between VWS and NSCP. The odds for having taurodontism in the VWS group was approximately double compared to the NSCP group. Most of the taurodontic molars showed hypotaurodontism and taurodontism occurred bilaterally more frequently than unilaterally. Conclusion: This study shows a higher prevalence of taurodontism in VWS and NSCP. Most taurodontic molars are hypotaurodontic and most occur bilaterally.Peer reviewe

Length of synostosis and segmented intracranial volume correlate with age in patients with non-syndromic sagittal synostosis

The aim of this study is to compare the length of synostosis and segmented intracranial volume (SIV) with age in children with non-syndromic sagittal synostosis. Thirty-three consecutive patients (22 boys) who had been operated by cranial vault remodeling because of sagittal synostosis were compared retrospectively from 3D-CT imaging data sets obtained from volumetric CT. The mean age of the patients at preoperative CT imaging was 0.49 (range 0.13-1.3) years and at 1-year postoperative imaging 1.8 (range 1.3-3) years. The mean interval between preoperative CT imaging and surgery was 0.25 (range 0-0.8) years. Pearson's correlation and Student's t test were used in the statistical analyses. Length of sagittal synostosis correlated positively with age at preoperative CT (r = 0.688, p <0.01). Children with total synostosis (n = 9) were significantly older (mean age 0.74 vs. 0.4 years, p <0.01) than those with partial synostosis. Of partial synostoses, 9 were located anteriorly, 3 in the middle, and 12 posteriorly. The mean synostosis ratio (synostosis length/total sagittal suture length x 100) was 83%. Preoperative SIV correlated positively with age at preoperative CT (r = 0.788, p <0.01), whereas the 1-year postoperative SIV did not correlate with age at operation. The older the child at the time of the operation, the less the percentage SIV increased. Length of sagittal synostosis and SIV increased with age.Peer reviewe

Scandcleft randomized trials of primary surgery for unilateral cleft lip and palate: Comparison of dental arch relationships and dental indices at 5, 8, and 10 years

Background and trial design: The Scandcleft intercentre study evaluates the outcomes of four surgical protocols (common method Arm A, and methods B, C, and D) for treatment of children with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) in a set of three randomized trials of primary surgery (Trials 1, 2, and 3). Objectives: To evaluate and compare dental arch relationships of 5-, 8-, and 10-year-old children with UCLP after four different protocols of primary surgery and to compare three dental indices. The results are secondary outcomes of the overall trial. Methods: Study models taken at the ages of 5 (n = 418), 8 (n = 411), and 10 years (n = 410) were analysed by a blinded panel of orthodontists using the Eurocran index, the 5-year-olds' (5YO) index, and the GOSLON Yardstick. Student's t-test, Pearson's correlation, chi-square test, and kappa statistics were used in statistical analyses. Results: The reliability of the dental indices varied between moderate and very good, and those of the Eurocran palatal index varied between fair and very good. Significant correlations existed between the dental indices at all ages. No differences were found in the mean 5-, 8-, and 10-year index scores or their distributions within surgical trials. Comparisons between trials detected significantly better mean index scores in Trial 2 Arm C (at all ages) and in Trial 1 Arm B (at 5 and 10 years of age) than in Trial 3 Arm D. The mean Eurocran dental index scores of the total material at 5, 8, and 10 years of age were 2.50, 2.60, and 2.26, and those of the 5YO index and GOSLON Yardstick were 2.77, 2.90, and 2.54, respectively. At age 10 years, 75.8% of the patients had had orthodontic treatment. Conclusions: The results of these three trials do not provide evidence that one surgical method is superior to the others. The reliabilities of the dental indices were acceptable, and significant correlations existed between the indices at all ages. The reliability of the Eurocran palatal index was questionable. Trial registration: ISRCTN29932826

Comparison of postoperative skeletal stability of maxillary segments after Le Fort I osteotomy, using patient-specific implant versus mini-plate fixation

Background: Three-dimensionally (3D) designed osteotomies and customised osteosynthesis are rapidly becoming standard in maxillofacial reconstructive and deformity surgery. Patient-specific implants (PSIs) have been in use for a few years in orthognathic surgery as well. In Le Fort I osteotomy, wafer-free fixation of the maxillary segment can be performed by individually manufactured cutting and drill guides together with PSIs. Aim: This retrospective study was performed to compare the postoperative skeletal stability of the maxillary segment fixed by patient-specific implants versus mini-plates after Le Fort I osteotomy. Patients: Fifty-one patients were divided into subgroups according to the fixation method and the advancement of the sub-spinal point. The postoperative skeletal stability of the maxillary segment was evaluated from lateral cephalometric radiographs one year postoperatively. Results: No statistically significant differences were found between the postoperative skeletal stability of the PSI and mini-plate fixed maxillae. Prospective studies, possibly with 3D fusion analysis, are warranted to confirm the results. Conclusion: The choice between the two fixation methods does not seem to affect the postoperative skeletal stability of the maxillary segments. (C) 2019 European Association for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Peer reviewe

Scandcleft randomised trials of primary surgery for unilateral cleft lip and Palate: 9. Parental report of social and emotional experiences related to their 5-year-old child’s cleft diagnosis

© 2017 Acta Chirurgica Scandinavica Society. Background and aim: Parents of children with a cleft lip and palate may be emotionally affected by the child’s diagnosis. Their experiences and perceptions are important when evaluating the complexity of satisfactory treatment outcomes. The objective was to examine parents’ social and emotional experiences related to their child’s cleft diagnosis, and their perceptions of the child’s adjustment to living with a visible difference. Design: International multicentre study by 10 cleft teams in five countries: Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway, and the UK. Methods: A cohort of 448 children born with a non-syndromic UCLP were included. A total of 356 parents completed the Scandcleft Parent Questionnaire. Results: The majority of parents experienced practical and emotional support from family, friends, and health professionals. Nevertheless, parents had to cope with other people’s reactions to the cleft, experiences that were described as ranging from hurtful to neutral and/or positive. According to parents, 39% of the children had experienced cleft-related comments and/or teasing. More than half of the parents reported specific worries related to their child’s future. Conclusion: While the majority of the parents experienced positive support and coped well with the child’s diagnosis, some parents were at risk for psychological and emotional challenges that should be identified by the cleft team. To optimise outcomes and the child’s adjustment, these parents should be offered psychological support when necessary. Trial registration: ISRCTN29932826