Introduction: Patients with cleft lip and palate often present maxillary hypoplasia owing to early surgical scarring, necessitating surgical advancement to restore facial balance and functional occlusion. Maxillary distraction osteogenesis, particularly with internal devices, is an effective technique for advancing the maxilla and surrounding soft tissues in patients with cleft lip and palate. These patients often present with complex jaw deformities requiring a multidisciplinary approach. Case Report: A 43-year-old male with unilateral cleft lip and palate presented with facial asymmetry and malocclusion. A multidisciplinary team performed maxillary distraction osteogenesis using an internal device, sagittal split ramus osteotomy, and plastic surgery. Maxillary distraction osteogenesis achieved maxillary advancement, clockwise rotation, and rolling. Subsequently, genioplasty and structural rhinoplasty were performed. The patient was satisfied with skeletal improvements and stable occlusion. Conclusion: A middle-aged patient with unilateral cleft lip and palate, who required maxillary distraction osteogenesis was successfully treated through close collaboration among multiple professionals. Maxillary distraction osteogenesis effectively corrects maxillary malposition by enabling three-dimensional movement of the maxilla. A multidisciplinary team approach is crucial for addressing jaw deformity.
Watanabe et al. (Thu,) studied this question.