Influences of different surgical procedures on growth of dentomaxillary complex in dogs with artificially created cleft palate.

Possible detrimental effects of palate repair on dentomaxillary growth have been reported before. In our study, two principally different surgical techniques were compared. Dogs with artificially created clefts of the palate were subjected to either a periosteal flap (Langenbeck) or to a bone flap (Dieffenbach) closure. Skull roentgenograms and upper jaw impressions were used to study the possible effects on growth. Definite abnormalities were found following both procedures; there are strong indications that the bone flap is the more detrimental one.