Three-Dimensional Cephalometric Evaluation of Maxillary Growth following in utero Repair of Cleft Lip and Alveolar-Like Defects in the Mid-Gestational Sheep Model

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate maxillary growth following in utero repair of surgically created cleft lip and alveolar (CLA)-like defects by means of three-dimensional (3D) computer tomographic (CT) cephalometric analysis in the mid-gestational sheep model. Methods: In 12 sheep fetuses a unilateral CLA-like defect was created in utero (untreated control group: 4 fetuses). Four different bone grafts were used for the alveolar defect closure. After euthanasia, CT scans of the skulls of the fetuses, 3D reconstructions, and a 3D-CT cephalometric analysis were performed. Results: The comparisons between the operated and nonoperated skull sides as well as of the maxillary asymmetry among the experimental groups revealed no statistically significant differences of the 12 variables used. Conclusions: None of the surgical approaches used for the in utero correction of CLA-like defects seem to affect significantly postsurgical maxillary growth; however, when bone graft healing takes place, a tendency for almost normal maxillary growth can be observed.

The contribution of laboratory animals to diagnostic imaging research in Greece

“…In various projects mapping of organs and anatomical structures of laboratory animals was successfully performed, such as the vasa vasorum in pigs (Sokolis et al, 2002), the aorta and coronary arteries in pigs and sheep (Bourantas et al, 2005), (Vavuranakis et al, 2007), the visceral vessels in rats (Kalogeropoulou, 1998), the skin in dogs (Mantis et al, 2014), the testicles in rams and dogs (Gouletsou et al, 2003), , the lymphatic system in dogs (Patsikas et al, 1996), (Patsikas, 1992) and cats (Papadopoulou, 2008) the lymphatic system of normal and neoplastic mammary glands in dogs (Patsikas et al, 2006), the skull in sheep (Papadopoulos et al, 2005), (Papadopoulos et al, 2006), with experimental diagnostic imaging techniques such as contrast-enhanced intracoronary ultrasonography, transcranial color-coded-Doppler ultrasonography, (14) C-deoxyglucose imaging (Gregoriou et al, 2005), synchrotron micro-CT (Tzaphlidou et al, 2006), X-ray absorptiometry (Tzaphlidou et al, 2000), 3D reconstruction using biplane angiography, intravascular ultrasound images and gamma-ray photon absorptiometry (Fountos et al, 1997).…”

A rabbit model for experimental alveolar cleft grafting

“…Development of alveolar clefts in experimental animals can be achieved, either surgically created or congenitally induced in utero during embryonic development [ 19 , 25 – 27 ]. Previous studies on in utero congenitally induced models reported increased need of technical expertise, concurrent multiple fetal malformations, and an increased incidence of intrauterine fetal death and abortions.…”