Reconstruction of alveolar clefts with iliac cancellous particulate or block bone grafts: a comparative study

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine which forms of iliac cancellous bone grafts better restore alveolar clefts. STUDY DESIGN: Forty consecutive patients who required a unilateral alveolar cleft graft were studied. Group I(20 patients) had reconstruction with iliac cancellous particulate bone grafts and group II(20 patients) had reconstruction with iliac cancellous block bone grafts. The two groups were evaluated radiographically and clinically. RESULTS: The group with the block bone grafts showed less postoperative problems and better incorporation of the bone graft than the group with the particulate grafts. CONCLUSION: Surgical reconstruction of alveolar process defects in patients with alveolar cleft using iliac cancellous block bone is a more reliable method than particulate bone grafts both for closing the oronasal fistula and for building interalveolar septal height.