# Alveolar cleft reconstruction using autogenous double iliac corticocancellous bone blocks technique versus particulate autogenous spongy bone graft from anterior iliac crest

## TL;DR

This study compares two bone grafting techniques for alveolar clefts and finds that the double iliac corticocancellous bone blocks method performs better in maintaining bone volume and structure.

## Contribution

The study introduces and evaluates a novel double iliac corticocancellous bone blocks technique for alveolar cleft reconstruction.

## Key findings

- The double iliac corticocancellous bone blocks technique showed superior graft width, height, and volume compared to the conventional method.
- The new technique was more effective in maintaining labio-palatal width and total graft volume postoperatively.
- The study supports the clinical relevance of using double iliac corticocancellous bone blocks for better alveolar cleft reconstruction.

## Abstract

The primary goals for alveolar cleft grafting are to gain and maintain bone in the cleft area that provides continuity for the maxillary segments, allowing the stability of the maxilla and building the bony foundation for the erupting cleft teeth and closure of the oronasal communication. The current study compared the effectiveness of the double iliac corticocancellous bone blocks technique versus the particulate autogenous spongy bone graft from the anterior iliac crest in alveolar cleft grafting in the mixed dentition stage.

The current randomized clinical study included 18 patients with unilateral alveolar clefts. They were divided into two equal groups according to the technique used for grafting; group (1) included nine patients in whom grafting with double iliac corticocancellous bone blocks with cancellous bone particulates in between was used (study group), and group (2) included nine patients in whom conventional cancellous particulate bone grafting from anterior iliac crest was used (Control group).

Nine months postoperatively, the study group showed superior results regarding graft width, height, and volume compared to the control group in the current study.

Regarding the graft success factors represented by the maintained graft labio-palatal width, graft height, and total graft volume, the technique of double iliac corticocancellous bone blocks was markedly effective in reconstructing alveolar clefts when compared with the conventional grafting technique that utilized cancellous particulate bone alone from the anterior iliac crest.

Clinical relevance.

The double iliac corticocancellous bone blocks technique maintained the grafted bone volume, width, and height.