Influence of lip repair on craniofacial morphology of patients with complete bilateral cleft lip and palate.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare two groups of adult male patients with complete bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP) on the basis of lateral cephalometric radiographs. PATIENTS: The first group of adult male patients with complete BCLP was comprised of 13 unoperated patients with an average age of 21 years. The second group was comprised of 14 patients with an average age of 21 years 7 months, who had been operated only on the lip prior to 2 years of age. DESIGN: The following measurements were evaluated: angle and length of cranial base; maxillary spatial positioning and length; mandibular spatial positioning; morphology and length; maxillomandibular relationship; vertical facial length; dental positioning; interdental arch relationship; and soft profile. RESULTS: The results suggest that lip repair has a significant influence on certain areas of the craniofacial complex, mainly the premaxilla and the upper incisors. CONCLUSIONS: The most significant findings consequent to lip repair consisted of reduction of the premaxillary anterior projection and lingual tipping of the upper incisors. Retropositioning of the premaxilla, especially in the alveolar part, is a desired effect of lip repair in complete BCLP. Such effect on the projected premaxilla is usually beneficial, except when the exceedingly severe lip pressure, unfavorable growth pattern, or both retropositions the midface profile beyond acceptable sagittal limits.