Objective: To classify the patients with cleft lip and palate who need orthognathic surgery and to propose the corresponding operations.
Methods: From January 2005 to May 2015, 121 patients with cleft lip and palate diagnosed as maxillary retrusion were treated by orthognathic surgery. Inclusion criteriar: (1) male aged over 16, female aged over 14; (2) diagnosed as non-syndromic cleft lip and palate without systemic disease and other genetic diseases; (3) without previous orthodontic and orthognathic treatment; (4) having no other craniofacial malformation. Maxillary features and repaired types were recorded.
Results: 93 patients were included and divided into two categories depended on the dental crowding. Class I: the teeth quantity and bone quantity is coordinated, space analysis ≤ 4 mm (mild dental crowding). The forward distance of maxillary less than 6 mm was defined as Class I a (36 cases) more than 6 mm as Class I b (28 cases). Class II: the teeth quantity and bone quantity is not coordinated, space analysis > 4 mm ( moderate or severe dental crowding). After the simulation of distraction osteogenesis, the anterior crossbite was corrected defined as Class II a (23 cases), not corrected defined as Class II b (6 cases). Class I a were corrected by conventional orthognathic surgery. While Class I b were corrected by Le Fort I maxillary advancement using distraction osteogenesis. Class II a were repaired just by anterior maxillary distraction. While Class II b need to combine conventional orthognathic surgery with anterior maxillary distraction. All the patients were satisfied with the treatment effect.
Conclusions: The patients of cleft lip and palate with maxillary retrusion who need orthognathic surgery can be classified as the method mentioned above, and then choose the appropriate operations.