Maxillary Sinus Volume in Cleft Lip and Palate Patients with and without an Oronasal Fistula using CBCT

Abstract

Introduction Formation of oronasal fistula is a common complication after surgical closure of cleft lip and palate (CLP). This study aimed to compare the maxillary sinus volume in 9-12-year-old CLP patients with and without an oronasal fistula who had undergone surgical closure of the cleft at 1 year of age, using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Methodology This descriptive, cross-sectional, analytical study was conducted on CBCT scans of 50 patients with unilateral CLP who were between 9-12 years and had undergone surgical closure of the cleft at 1 year of age in two groups with and without an oronasal fistula (n=50). The patients were selected among those presenting to a private orthodontic office between 2001-2009 and already had CBCT scans taken for orthodontic treatment. The 3D CBCT scans were reconstructed with Mimics software, and the volume of the maxillary sinuses was measured on the images. Data were compared using t-test. Results The maxillary sinus volume was significantly smaller in patients with oronasal fistula compared with those without it (9510.7±492 mm3 vs. 10278.2±512 mm3, P<0.000). The maxillary sinus of the affected side was smaller than that of the unaffected side in both groups of patients with and without an oronasal fistula (P<0.05). Conclusion IImmature patients with unilateral CLP and oronasal fistula have a smaller maxillary sinus than unilateral CLP patients without an oronasal fistula, and may be at higher risk of respiratory infections.