Cleft Lip and Palate and Alveolar Bone Grafting in the United Kingdom: A Brief Overview for Non-specialists

Abstract

Cleft lip and palate is a common congenital defect that is associated with various functional, aesthetic and psychosocial problems. The objective of this article is to share a brief overview of cleft and lip palate classification, aetiology, complications and management, particularly aimed at non-specialists. The literature suggests that the use of iliac crest bone in secondary alveolar bone grafting (ABG) still seems to be the favoured technique for cleft lip and palate repair. In conclusion, we suggest that advances in bone morphogenic proteins may be the key to further advancement in ABG.

Extracellular Matrix Composition and Remodeling: Current Perspectives on Secondary Palate Formation, Cleft Lip/Palate, and Palatal Reconstruction

“…The use of autogenous bone graft has many drawbacks related to morbidity at the donor site, and patients may present chronic pain at the site, paresthesia of the thigh, and hypertrophic scar. The loss of the graft due to local inflammation, bone resorption, and the development of oronasal fistulas is also frequently associated with unsuccessful repair (Borba et al, 2014;Tavakolinejad et al, 2014;Shafi et al, 2015).…”