Le Fort I osteotomy in cleft patients: Maxillary advancement and velopharyngeal function

J Craniomaxillofac Surg. 2019 Dec;47(12):1868-1874. doi: 10.1016/j.jcms.2019.11.017. Epub 2019 Nov 29.

Abstract

Background: Maxillary advancement may affect speech in cleft patients.

Aims: To evaluate whether the amount of maxillary advancement in Le Fort I osteotomy affects velopharyngeal function (VPF) in cleft patients.

Methods: Ninety-three non-syndromic cleft patients (51 females, 42 males) were evaluated retrospectively. All patients had undergone a Le Fort I or bimaxillary (n = 24) osteotomy at Helsinki Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Center. Preoperative and postoperative lateral cephalometric radiographs were digitized to measure the amount of maxillary advancement. Pre- and postoperative speech was assessed perceptually and instrumentally by experienced speech therapists. Student's t-test and Mann-Whitney's U-test were used in the statistical analyses. Kappa statistics were calculated to assess reliability.

Results: The mean advancement of A point was 4.0 mm horizontally (range: -2.8-11.3) and 3.9 mm vertically (range -14.2-3.9). Although there was a negative change in VPF, the amount of maxillary horizontal or vertical movement did not significantly influence the VPF. There was no difference between the patients with maxillary and bimaxillary osteotomy.

Conclusions: The amount of maxillary advancement does not affect the velopharyngeal function in cleft patients.

Keywords: Cephalometrics; Cleft lip and palate; Maxillary advancement; Orthognathic surgery; Velopharyngeal function; Velopharyngeal insufficiency.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Cephalometry / methods
  • Cleft Lip / physiopathology
  • Cleft Lip / surgery*
  • Cleft Palate / physiopathology
  • Cleft Palate / surgery*
  • Female
  • Finland
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mandibular Advancement / methods
  • Maxilla / abnormalities
  • Maxilla / surgery
  • Maxillary Osteotomy / methods*
  • Middle Aged
  • Orthognathic Surgical Procedures / methods*
  • Osteotomy, Le Fort / methods*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Speech / physiology*
  • Speech Disorders / physiopathology
  • Speech Disorders / surgery
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Velopharyngeal Insufficiency / physiopathology*
  • Velopharyngeal Insufficiency / surgery
  • Young Adult