Effect of Nasal Floor Closure on the Size of Alveolar Cleft in Complete Unilateral or Bilateral Primary Cleft Palate

Cleft lip (CL) and cleft palate (CP) are among the most common congenital anomalies. Constituting 65% of head and neck anomalies in isolated or syndromic forms, they are considered as the most common head and neck congenital deformities in children. 15 children from the Tabriz Children Hospital were evaluated in this descriptive-analytic cross sectional study that possessed unilateral and bilateral cleft lip and palate with inclusion criteria. The effect of nasal floor reconstruction on the size of alveolar cleft and palatal anterior fistula formation were evaluated in primary unilateral and bilateral cleft palate. There were 11 (73.3%) male and only 4 (26.7%) female patients in the sample group. The mean duration from first consult to reconstructive surgery was 3.4±1.8 months (1 to 9 months range). The width of alveolar cleft and alveolar ridge angle on cleft side compared to normal side in sagittal and coronal axis was significant after nasal floor reconstruction (P=0.001, P=0.02), while septal angle changes were not significant (P=0.26), which means no increase in septal deviation has been documented. Considering the significant changes of alveolar cleft width and alveolar ridge angle on cleft side compared to normal side in sagittal and coronal axis after nasal floor closure, this method can be applied as a new interventional surgery in primary unilateral and bilateral cleft palate.