Use of cantilever iliac bone grafts for reconstruction of cleft lip-associated nasal deformities.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical and radiographic observations on cantilever iliac bone grafts for reconstruction of cleft lip-associated nasal deformities.


METHODS
Cantilever iliac bone grafts were performed on 14 patients with a severely deformed cleft lip-associated nose using the open rhinoplasty technique. An approximately 6-cm length of iliac bone was tightly inserted into a subperiosteal pocket over the nasal bones, and the nasal tip was elevated by the distal end of the graft. The clinical follow-up ranged from 7 months to 3 years.


RESULTS
All patients were judged to have satisfactory results. The grafted bone decreased slightly in size during the first 2 to 3 months, and irregularities in contour became rounded. During the same period, bony union with the underlying nasal bones was observed in all cases. After about 6 months, further changes did not occur in the grafts.


CONCLUSIONS
This type of bone graft can be used for additional structural support and to achieve the desired nasal projection and profile. Augmenting the nasal bridge creates the illusion of a narrower nose. The key to success of the operation seems to be the proper fixation of the grafted bone to the underlying nasal bones.
Takato
T
T
Department of Oral Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Japan.
Yonehara
Y
Y
Mori
Y
Y
Susami
T
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D002971:Cleft Lip / Q000150:complications*; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009666:Nose / Q000002:abnormalities*; D012225:Rhinoplasty / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome