ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy of block iliac bone grafting in patients with unilateral alveolar cleft in mixed dentition.
MethodsA retrospective study was conducted on patients with unilateral alveolar clefts in mixed dentition who were treated in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital. All patients underwent unilateral alveolar cleft bone graft repair with autogenous block iliac bone blocks. The healing of bone blocks was analyzed at 1 week and 6-12 months after surgery. Mimics software was used for the three-dimensional reconstruction and volumetric measurement of the iliac bone blocks on the follow-up imaging data of 15 patients aged 9-12 years without the eruption of canines before surgery, and the bone resorption rate of the iliac bone blocks was comparatively analyzed.
ResultsIn the 37 patients, bone grafting was successful in 32 and failed in five. The success rate of bone grafting was 86.5%. In 15 patients aged 9-12 years without the eruption of canines before surgery, eruption through the bone graft area was observed in two patients 6-12 months after the operation. Cone beam computer tomography showed that the grafted bone block exhibited good bony connections, and its resorption mainly occurred on the crests and palatal sides of the alveolar ridge. Bone resorption rates varied considerably between patients with a mean bone resorption rate of 39.0%±13.8% at 6-12 months after surgery.
ConclusionFor patients in mixed dentition, bone grafting with block iliac bone can achieve better osteogenesis effect.