Gross and microscopic anatomical studies of palate structure and osteotomy site.

A normal 1-year-old infant palate and a newborn cleft palate were studied grossly, radiographically, and microscopically for histological structure in hard palate osteotomy sites. A correlated study of biopsies from an osteotomy site seven days postoperatively and another at twelve months following osteotomy was also made. The findings showed that successful osteotomy in infant cleft palate surgery translocates autogenous fibrous bone and osteogenic cells into a cleft-bridging position. Woven fibrous bone rapidly forms across the cleft, and then matures by lamellar bone replacement and haversian system remodeling. Both normal and cleft palates have a rich anastomosis of microscopic blood supply that is vitally important in the remodeling process. These factors may help to explain successful long-term results in early cleft palate osteotomy surgery.