Effects of Hotz's plate and lip adhesion on maxillary arch in patients with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate until 5 years of age

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of infant orthopedic treatment using Hotz's plate and lip adhesion (LA) on maxillary arch of the patients with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) until 5 years of age.Patients and methodsFifty patients with complete UCLP who were treated in Cleft Lip and Palate Center of Harapan Kita Children and Maternity Hospital, Indonesia, were divided into three groups. Hotz (+) group: 22 patients treated with Hotz's plate until palatoplasty. Hotz–LA group: 14 patients treated with LA at one or two months of age and with Hotz plate until palatoplasty. Hotz (−) group: 14 patients treated without Hotz's plate and LA. Serial dental casts were obtained from each patient at following four time points: first visit, cheiloplasty, palatoplasty, and 5 years of age. Each maxillary dental cast was scanned, and the linear and angular dimensions were measured.ResultsMaxillary arch width and length of anterior part were larger in the Hotz (+) group than in the Hotz–LA and Hotz (−) groups at the palatoplasty and 5 years of age. The anterior part of the maxillary arch in the Hotz–LA and Hotz (−) groups was smaller and more flattened than that in the Hotz (+) group.ConclusionsThis study suggests that Hotz's plate prevents the maxillary arch from collapsing after cheiloplasty to the palatoplasty. This effect remained up to 5 years of age. However, the effects of Hotz's plate are negated in patients who underwent LA.