[Correction of dento-maxillofacial deformities following cleft lip and palate repair with orthognathic surgery and orthodontics].

[OBJECTIVE] To restore good occlusion and face profile, the orthognathic operation and orthodontics were used to correct the dento-maxillofacial deformities following the repair of cleft lip and palate.

[METHODS] 21 patients (7 males and 14 females, mean age of 20.6 years) were included in this study. Their dento-maxillofacial deformities following the repair of cleft lip and palate have been corrected in our hospital since 1996. Of them, 17 patients received pre- and postoperative orthodontic treatments. 21 cases underwent the following surgical procedures: Le Fort I osteotomy in 7 cases, multisegmental Le Fort I osteotomy in 5 cases, Le Fort I osteotomy and bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy (BSSRO) in 4 cases, Le Fort I osteotomy and mandibular body osteotomy in 2 cases, BSSRO and genioplasty in 2 cases, BSSRO in 1 case. Rigid internal fixation was used in all patients. After multisegmental Le Fort I osteotomy, the rigid fixed palatine splint was used for 6 approximately 8 weeks.

[RESULTS] Osteotomy segments healed well in all cases without severe complications. 14 patients were followed-up for an average of 25.6 months. There was no evident relapse. 12 patients who received pre- and postoperative orthodontic treatments had satisfactory occlusion and face profile.

[CONCLUSIONS] Orthognathic operation combined with orthodontics can be used satisfactorily to correct the dento-maxillofacial deformities following cleft lip and palate repair.