Secondary alveolar bone grafting: An outcome analysis.
OBJECTIVE
To review the outcome of secondary alveolar bone grafting in unilateral and bilateral cleft lip and palate.


METHODS
A surgeon's experience, by retrospective chart review, of 70 consecutive patients at a tertiary care centre.


METHODS
Periapical radiographs were taken at least six months after secondary alveolar bone grafting. The Enemark grading system was used to stratify graft-take.


RESULTS
In unilateral clefts, 33% were level 1, 36% were level 2, 20% were level 3 and 11% were level 4. In bilateral clefts, 29% were level 1, 50% were level 2, 14% were level 3 and 7% were level 4. There was no statistically significant difference between the level of take and the type of cleft. Complications encountered were infection (n=3), fistula (n=3), pain (n=4) and bone graft exposure that led to failure (n=2). Two patients required reoperation for bone grafting.


CONCLUSIONS
The iliac crest is a good donor site with excellent results and minimal morbidity.
Murthy
Ananth S
AS
Department of Plastic Surgery, Children's Hospital Medical Center of Akron, Akron, Ohio, USA.
Lehman
James A
JA