[Mid-premaxillary sutural distraction osteogenesis for repair of alveolus cleft: an experimental study in dogs].
OBJECTIVE
To explore a new technique for repair of alveolar cleft by sutural distraction osteogenesis.


METHODS
Nine 8-weeks mongrel dogs were used in this study, three being in the control group, six in the experimental group. Alveolar cleft model was created surgically in all animals. Two weeks later, a U-shaped distractor made of Ni-Ti memory alloy wire was insterted into the premaxilla to distract the mid-premaxillary suture. When the premaxilla of the cleft side approached the ipsilateral maxilla, periosteoplasty of the alveolar cleft was performed. The distractor was removed at two weeks after periosteoplasty. The results were evaluated clinically, radiographically, morphologically and histologically.


RESULTS
The cleft model in dogs was stable and similar to the human alveolar cleft. In experimental dogs, the premaxilla was moved gradually toward the maxilla so that the cleft was closed. The distracted mid-premaxillary suture showed a gradually widened traingle, with its tip being posterior. The density of the distracted traingle suture was increased gradually. Bony repair was achieved completely at the cleft three months post-periosteoplasy. The morphology of the mid-premaxillary suture was restored.


CONCLUSIONS
The alveolar cleft could be repaired by the technique of mid-premaxilla suture distraction.
Liang
Li-min
LM
Stomatology of PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China.
Liu
Chun-ming
CM
Song
Ru-yao
RY
Hou
Min
M
Ma
Xiao
X
D000543:Alveoloplasty / Q000379:methods*; D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs; D008437:Maxilla / Q000601:surgery*; D023421:Models, Animal; D019857:Osteogenesis, Distraction / Q000379:methods*