A New Approach to Repairing Cleft Palate with Distraction Osteogenesis

Objective:To observe the repairing cleft plate (CP) of animal mode with distraction osteogenesis (DO); to investigate the repairing mechanism in thin bone defect of palate and to search a possible new approach to repair of CP. Methods:25 cats were assigned randomly to 3 groups: (1)Empty Control, 2 cats unoperated; (2)Experimental Control, 3 cats underwent 8x18mm2 palatal ostectomy in sagittal direction as a experimental model of CP; (3)Experimental Group, 15 cats were carried out the same palatal ostectomy as control group. Then the newly designed intraoral distraction was fixed to molars and bilateral palatal bone. 4 weeks later, the transport disc (TD) osteoctomy were performed and distraction was started after 6 days latency period at the rate of 0.4mmx2/days till the close of CP gap. Three of experimental cats were sacrificed at 2,4,6,8 and 12 weeks respectively after completion of DO. The samples were studied by gross, radiographic, histological,laser scanning confocal microscope, immunohistoligical and ultrastructural exam. Results:CP bone and soft tissue defects in animal model were successfully repaired by DO. TD recombined to the opposite bone edge of CP. The bone defect gap was filled with in site intramembranous osteogenesis. (Comparison of the plaster casts showed no change in the occlusion or dentomaxillofacial framework.) The bone defects of control group were still left in original status. Conclusion:The results of this study showed that the defects of CP bone and soft tissue could be repaired and achieved functional reconstruction by DO, which could be a functionally new approach to correction of cleft palate.

Supported by National Nature Science Foundation of China, grant 39970798