Histological changes following the surgical closure of a canine cleft palate

Abstract

Summary An operation was performed on a 6-week-old dog to close the posterior third of a cleft hard palate. The dog was kept alive for a further seven weeks. Sections through the control (non-operated) area of the palate showed that bone apposition was occurring at the medial margin of the palatal process and on the inferior surface. Resorption occurred on the superior surface. The operated area of the cleft showed marked irregularities of the bone margins and fibrous tissue in the mid-line. The bone margins turned superiorly and showed irregular areas of bone growth in a medial direction. In one part the processes were united by a bridge of bone. The fibrous tissue between the process margins showed areas of osteogenesis and other areas of scar tissue. Lateral to the midline area there was normal growth although the mucous membrane, nasal and oral, had been elevated and replaced.