Early cheiloplasty : its effects on alveolar cleft

Early cheiloplasty is performed within the first ten days of life in healthy new borns. Sixteen unilateral and six bilateral cleft lip patients were operated on. All had alveolar and palatal clefts. Pre- and postoperative maxillary models were taken and compared with those obtained from late repaired clefts in which an extraoral traction (EOT) device was used preoperatively. Early operation had a significant occlusive effect on alveolar arch, but there was no alteration of the palatal clefts and palatal shelves. © 1991 Springer-Verlag.