title: Hard palate repair timing and facial growth in cleft lip and palate: a systematic review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of timing of hard palate repair on facial growth in patients with cleft lip and palate, with special reference to cranial base, maxilla, mandible, jaw relation, and incisor relation.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic review.
  
  
  METHODS
  The search strategy was based on the key words "facial growth," "cleft lip palate," and "timing of (hard) palate repair." Case reports, case-series, and studies with no control or comparison group in the sample were excluded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifteen studies met the selection criteria. All the studies were retrospective and nonrandomized. Five studies used cephalometry and casts, seven used cephalometry, and three used casts. Methodological deficiencies and heterogeneity of the studies prevented major conclusions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The review highlights the importance of further research. Prospective well-designed, controlled studies, especially targeting long-term results, are required to elucidate the effect of timing of hard palate repair on facial growth in patients with cleft lip and palate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dentistry, Craniofacial Center, and Sleep Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. yfliao0125@yahoo.co.uk
authors.forename: Yu-Fang
authors.initials: YF
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mars
mesh_terms: D002971:Cleft Lip / Q000601:surgery*; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000601:surgery*; D003766:Dental Occlusion; D005147:Facial Bones / Q000254:growth & development*; D006801:Humans; D008334:Mandible / Q000254:growth & development; D008437:Maxilla / Q000254:growth & development; D021362:Palate, Hard / Q000601:surgery*; D019291:Skull Base / Q000254:growth & development; D013997:Time Factors