Background: Significant discrepancies exist in the reported variables influencing alveolar bone graft outcomes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate graft success and identify outcome predictors in a large patient cohort using an objective Cone Beam Computed Tomographic (CBCT) assessment tool.
Methods: Consecutive patients with cleft lip/palate who underwent alveolar bone grafting by one surgeon were included. Predictor variables were age at graft, oronasal fistula, canine position, concurrent premaxillary osteotomy, size of cleft, presence of bony palatal bridge, history of failed graft, location of primary repair, and surgeon experience. The outcome variable was graft success determined using a CBCT assessment tool and defined as a score of > 3 out of 4 in each domain: vertical bone level, labiopalatal thickness, and nasal piriform symmetry.
Results: The sample included 900 alveolar cleft sites (median graft age 9.9 years). The success rate was 94.6%. Presence of an erupted canine, large cleft defect, and premaxillary osteotomy were independent predictors of graft failure, while presence of a bony palatal bridge was associated with graft success (p < 0.05).
Conclusions: Presence of an erupted canine, large bony defect, and premaxillary osteotomy increase failure, and a bony palatal bridge portends success. Variables of age > 12 years, visible oronasal fistula, history of failed graft, primary cleft repaired at outside institution, and surgeon experience were associated with higher graft failure but were not independent predictors when controlling for co-variates. Surgeons should be aware that these factors in combination increase the odds of graft failure.
Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. on behalf of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. All rights reserved.