Impact of Virtual Planning on Surgical Reposition of the Premaxilla Using an Endonasal Approach and Simultaneous Alveoloplasty
Objective: Describe the surgical repositioning of the premaxilla using an innovative minimally invasive endonasal approach and secondary bone graft at the same time. We want to emphasize the importance of virtual surgical planning in this technique. Material and Methods: A total of 6 patients with bilateral complete cleft lip and palate underwent a surgical repositioning of the premaxilla. Virtual surgical planning was performed in all cases. The ages varied between 8 and 12 years and all were male. Five patients were in the mixed dentition phase and 1 patient was in the definitive phase. Three of the patients had been prepared with presurgical nasoalveolar molding. The other 3 were not prepared for various reasons. All patients had primary repair of cleft lip and palate. Interventions: An innovative minimally invasive endonasal approach is presented that has allowed a safe 3 D reposition of the premaxilla in patients with bilateral cleft palate. A simultaneous secondary alveoloplasty with the use of absorbable osteosynthesis is a good choice to achieve symmetry and stability. Conclusions: Virtual surgical planning is an exceptional instrument to make an appropriate presurgical selection of the patients in which combine the 2 procedures.
The Cleft palate craniofacial journal official publication of the American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association