Three-dimensional cephalometric evaluation of maxillary growth following in utero repair of cleft lip and alveolar-like defects in the mid-gestational sheep model.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate maxillary growth following in utero repair of surgically created cleft lip and alveolar (CLA)-like defects by means of three-dimensional (3D) computer tomographic (CT) cephalometric analysis in the mid-gestational sheep model.


METHODS
In 12 sheep fetuses a unilateral CLA-like defect was created in utero (untreated control group: 4 fetuses). Four different bone grafts were used for the alveolar defect closure. After euthanasia, CT scans of the skulls of the fetuses, 3D reconstructions, and a 3D-CT cephalometric analysis were performed.


RESULTS
The comparisons between the operated and nonoperated skull sides as well as of the maxillary asymmetry among the experimental groups revealed no statistically significant differences of the 12 variables used.


CONCLUSIONS
None of the surgical approaches used for the in utero correction of CLA-like defects seem to affect significantly postsurgical maxillary growth; however, when bone graft healing takes place, a tendency for almost normal maxillary growth can be observed.
Papadopoulos
Moschos A
MA
Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece. n.papadopulos@lrz.tum.de
Papadopulos
Nikolaos A
NA
Jannowitz
Christina
C
Boettcher
Peter
P
Henke
Julia
J
Stolla
Rudolf
R
Zeilhofer
Hans-Florian
HF
Kovacs
Laszlo
L
Biemer
Edgar
E
D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D000818:Animals; D002508:Cephalometry; D002971:Cleft Lip / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000196:embryology / Q000601:surgery*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005332:Fetoscopy; D005865:Gestational Age; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008445:Maxillofacial Development; D012756:Sheep; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed