# Canine pillar bone bearing traction method of skull external fixator combined with nickel-titanium memory alloy spring for unilateral cleft lip and palate with severe facial skeletal hypoplasia

## TL;DR

A new method using a skull fixator and nickel-titanium spring improves treatment for severe facial skeletal issues in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate.

## Contribution

Combines external skull fixation with nickel-titanium springs for canine pillar bone traction in cleft lip and palate treatment.

## Key findings

- The method showed better curative effects and lower asymmetry rates compared to traditional traction methods.
- Applying different traction forces improved maxillary tissue correction and reduced post-surgery recurrence.
- The approach supports early and effective correction of facial skeletal hypoplasia in cleft patients.

## Abstract

For unilateral cleft lip and palate severe midfacial skeletal dysplasia, external skull fixator combined with nickel titanium memory alloy spring was used to treat canine pillar bone bearing traction.

Patients (n = 200) with unilateral cleft lip and palate and severe midfacial skeletal hypoplasia who were treated in our hospital within three years were divided into control group (treated with trans suture traction osteogenesis) while the observation group was treated with skull external fixator combined with nickel titanium memory alloy spring supporting force traction of canine bone.

After applying significantly different traction forces to the maxillary tissues on both sides of the patient, the patient was treated with appropriate traction correction, orthodontic treatment and moderate traction on the facial arch to effectively reduce the recurrence of the disease after surgery. Compared with the control group, the curative effect in all aspects was better and the asymmetry rate was lower.

Canine strut bone traction method of external skull fixation combined with nickel-titanium memory alloy spring was applied for severe facial skeletal dysplasia caused by unilateral cleft lip and palate. For this purpose, reasonable and scientific treatment methods were provided for early correction and treatment of the disease.