Early orthopaedic stabilization of the praemaxilla in complete bilateral cleft lip and palate in combination with the Celesnik lip repair.

Co-ordination of maxillary orthopaedics with two-stage lip surgery according to the Celesnik principle for complete BCLP is described, and the results of the procedure are analyzed at the 10 to 15 year age level. Taking advantage of the effects of growth within the first 6 to 8 months of the patient's life, orthopaedics and concomitant surgery achieve a considerable degree of alignment and stabilization of the praemaxilla within the alveolar arch without reverting to any active orthopaedic retrusion. Around age 10 the praemaxilla has assumed a normal sagittal position relative to the anterior cranial base. Due to relatively short and retropositioned mandibles all cases in the sample investigated display rather receding 'Class II type' profiles in early adolescence.