Follow-up investigation of palatal closure by means of a one-layer cranially-based vomer-flap.
The relatively seldom-used technique of a single-layer cranially based vomer-flap for the primary closure of a hard cleft palate has been demonstrated. 25 unilateral cleft lip and palate cases, carefully selected in the age group 6 to 20 years, were examined. 3 different methods of analysing these cases were used in order to determine the dysgnathia incidence. The results of these 3 analyses were compared and a comparison was also made between the other types of hard palatal closures. The results were in favour of the above-mentioned technique, where relatively small growth disturbances, thus a small dysgnathia incidence, and few oronasal fistulas occurred. Interesting spin-off results regarding the influence of the orthodontic treatment, the type of technique for lip closure, and the articulated speech function, are briefly mentioned.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002971:Cleft Lip / Q000601:surgery; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000209:etiology; D008437:Maxilla / Q000254:growth & development; D008722:Methods; D009300:Nasal Septum / Q000601:surgery*; D013524:Surgical Flaps