Pharyngeal Airway Dilation After Trans-Sutural Distraction Osteogenesis (TSDO) in Adolescent Cleft Lip and Palate (CLP) Patients With Midfacial Hypoplasia.

BACKGROUND

Patients with surgically treated cleft lip and palate (CLP) are susceptible to narrowed airways and sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). This study investigates the impact of trans-sutural distraction osteogenesis (TSDO) on pharyngeal airway changes in adolescent patients with CLP and midfacial hypoplasia.

METHODS

A total of 32 non-syndromic CLP patients aged 9 to 14 years were included, and 3D cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) was used to assess airway volume, cross-sectional area, and diameter before and after TSDO.

RESULTS

Our findings revealed significant dilation in the nasopharyngeal airway, with the nasopharyngeal volume increasing from 5693.71 ± 2672.68 mm 3 to 8238.95 ± 3124.61 mm 3 ( P <0.05). The upper oropharyngeal airway also exhibited significant sagittal dilation, though no changes were observed in the lower oropharyngeal airway.

CONCLUSIONS

TSDO can significantly dilate the airway, offering a promising approach to improving ventilation and potentially reducing the risk of sleep-disordered breathing in CLP patients.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.