title: Maxillary expansion using transpalatal distraction in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The goal of this study was to evaluate prospectively the use of a transpalatal distractor for surgically assisted rapid palatal distraction osteogenesis in the treatment of severe unilateral maxillary constriction of patients with cleft lip and palate following alveolar bone grafting.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors analyzed the clinical and radiographic data of eight patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate. Follow-up examinations were performed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All of the patients had satisfactory palatal expansion and correction of the dental crossbite without major complications. None of the children in this study were noncompliant with the prescribed duration of the active distraction period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Surgically assisted rapid palatal distraction osteogenesis using a transpalatal distractor results in a high rate of success in correcting maxillary transverse width discrepancies and dental crossbite and offers a harmonious maxillary arch shape in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate.
authors.affiliation: Lausanne, Fribourg, and Pully, Switzerland From the Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois; maxillofacial private practice; and orthodontic private practice.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Scolozzi
authors.forename: Raul
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Verdeja
authors.forename: Georges
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Herzog
authors.forename: Bertrand
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jaques
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D016025:Bone Transplantation; D002971:Cleft Lip / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D019857:Osteogenesis, Distraction / Q000379:methods*; D010155:Palatal Expansion Technique; D011446:Prospective Studies