Analysis of Dental Arch Relationships in Swedish Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate Subjects: 20-Year Longitudinal Consecutive Series Treated with Delayed Hard Palate Closure

Abstract

Objective:

To evaluate the dental arch relationships for a consecutive series from Goteborg, Sweden, who had delayed hard palate closure.

Design:

Retrospective study.

Setting:

Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Goteborg, Sweden.

Patients:

The dental study models of 104 consecutive unilateral cleft lip and palate subjects. The study cohort was born between 1979 and 1994. Longitudinal records were available at ages 5 (n = 94), 10 (n = 97), 16 (n = 59), and 19 years (n = 46). Five assessors rated models according to the GOSLON Yardstick on two separate occasions each.

Interventions:

These patients had been operated upon according to the Goteborg protocol of delayed hard palate closure (at age 8 years).

Results:

85% of subjects were rated in groups 1 and 2 (excellent or very good outcome), 12% were rated in group 3 (satisfactory), and 3% were assigned to group 4 (poor). No patients presented in Group 5 (very poor). Weighted kappa statistics for double determination of Yardstick allocation for five assessors demonstrated values between .65 and .90 for interrater agreement (good/very good) and between .70 and .90 for intrarater agreement (very good).

Conclusions:

Delayed hard palate closure as practiced in Goteborg since 1979 has produced the best GOSLON Yardstick ratings in a consecutive series of patients ever recorded worldwide, since the Yardstick was first used in 1983. However, it is noteworthy that a new protocol has been introduced in Goteborg since 1994, in which hard palate closure is done at 3 years due to concerns regarding speech.