Presurgical changes in unilateral cleft palate subjects.

This investigation utilizes computerized measuring and statistical techniques, stereophotogrammetry, and a newly developed method of measuring palatal surface areas to study changes in the maxillary arch dimensions at birth and at 4 months in 3 groups of subjects: (1) 30 complete unilateral cleft lip and palate cases who were treated by presurgical maxillary orthopaedics; (2) 15 similar cases who had no such treatment and served as controls; and (3) 30 normal children. The changes occurring in the 3 groups over the 4-month period were compared. In particular, it was noted that presurgical treatment had a constrictive effect on general arch growth and that it also retarded the growth of palatal tissue. The significance of this in relation to other findings and to presurgical treatment in general is discussed.