Lateral Cephalometric Evaluation in Cleft Palate Patients

The aim of the study. The lateral cephalometric study in children with cleft palate was carried out to find out the cause of maxillary retrusion and to see if there were other changes induced by this entity in the maxillofacial morphology. Material and methods. Lateral cephalometric evaluation of 28 patients with un-operated cleft palate (group A), 12 patients with operated cleft palate (group B) and 10 controls (group C) was done by tracing the lateral cephalographs, marking the various landmarks and taking the mean of each measurements made thrice. Results. It showed significant decrease in maxillary length and S-N-ANS angle indicating maxillary hypoplasia in all group A patients, significantly so in 16-20 years age group. Group B patients having undergone palatal repair in their childhood revealed significant increase in lower anterior facial height, the other parameters being insignificantly altered when compared with control. Conclusions. The findings suggest an intrinsic deficiency not only in maxilla but contrary to the past belief also in mandible. There was no significant difference in the cephalometric measurements between un-operated and operated cleft palate patients.