Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
TURKISH JOURNAL OF PLASTIC SURGERY, cilt.15, sa.3, ss.155-164, 2007 (ESCI)
The aim of this study was to compare the effects of early versus late palatal repair on maxillofacial growth. Two groups (10 patients in each) were designed according to palatal repair time, having early and late palatal repairs before 12 months of age and between 12-24 months, respectively. At 4-6 years of age, maxillofacial growth was evaluated based on cephalometric evaluation of the midface. Lateral and frontal cephalograms were obtained for both repair groups and for a control group of 15 age-matched children with class I dentoskeletal relationships. The study revealed no statistically significant growth differences between the groups. Although not statistically significant, in cleft palate cases the maxillae tended to be larger in width, more superiorly positioned in the vertical plane, and more retrusive, with the late repair group being more influenced. The results of this study show that the early palatal repair has similar effects on maxillary growth as compared with the outcomes of the late repairs and early repair might be considered as a treatment alternative as far as the timing of the operation is considered.