Cephalometric Comparisons of the Results of the Wardill-Kilner and Von Langenbeck Palatoplasties

Abstract

Two groups of individuals with isolated clefts of the palate were compared. One group had had the Von Langenbeck procedure performed at the University of Iowa and the other the V/W-Y (Wardill-Kilner) procedure performed in Denmark. All individuals in both groups were Caucasians. In order to avoid the influence of any possible ethnic differences on the interpretation of the results, each cleft group was initially compared to a matched non-cleft group from the same geographical area. Differences were then statistically evaluated using the Student t-test. The incidence of malocclusion in the two operated groups was compared using Chi Square. Different landmarks were pricked on duplicate cephalograms. Nine angular and four linear parameters were measured. Two ratios derived from these linear parameters were also computed. The results of this study tend to indicate that these two procedures have similar effects upon antero-posterior and vertical growth of the craniofacial complex as determined from cephalometric roentgenograms. While there were no statistically significant differences in the incidence of malocclusion, the need for a detailed study of the effects of different palatoplasties on dental occlusion was emphasized. Speech results and dental occlusion emerge as critical factors in the evaluation of the effects of these two surgical techniques.