Assessment of Maxillary Growth In Patients with Anterior Palatal Fistula Managed by Distraction Osteogenesis with and without Bone Graft

Abstract

Palatal fistula is probably the commonest complication associated with cleft palate surgery. Also maxillary hypoplasia is a common finding in patients with orofacial clefting. Traditional surgical and orthodontic treatment for these patients often fall short of expectations particularly in achieving adequate functional results and normal facial proportions. Maxillary anterior segmental Distraction Osteogenesis would be an alternative technique to close the fistula when the palatal fistula is too large to close with mucosal flaps. Closure of anterior palatal fistula either by distraction osteogenesis with and without bone graft or by bone graft alone will help the two maxillary and alveolar segements to be attached with closure of the gap and closure of the disrupted anterior palatal suture that may be a stimulus for growth of the maxilla at suture sit