[Suture distraction osteogenesis for closure of cleft palate in the dog: long-term effect and its influence on facial growth].
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the study was to evaluate the long-term effect and its influence on facial growth of suture distraction osteogenesis for closure of cleft palate.


METHODS
14 Beagle dogs were used in the study. Six of them were in the experimental group, eight served as the control. Direct measurements were taken on dry skulls of the dogs and the data were analysed statistically.


RESULTS
The results showed that bony healing at the midline between the two horizontal portions of the palatine bones appeared in all the experimental dogs. There were no significant differences in the variables of facial length and height between the two groups. But the facial width and the distance between the two vertical portions of the palatine bones were significantly less in the experimental dogs than the control.


CONCLUSIONS
It is suggested that bony repair of the cleft could be accomplished permanently with the technique of sutural distraction. This technique had no influence on facial length and height growth, but could led to underdevelopment of the width of the face and the respiratory tract of the palatal portion.
Liu
C
C
General Hospital and Postgraduate College of PLA, Beijing 100853, China.
Song
R
R
Song
Y
Y
D000818:Animals; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D005147:Facial Bones / Q000254:growth & development*; D005260:Female; D010012:Osteogenesis; D013536:Suture Techniques