OBJECTIVETo analyze the craniofacial morphology of adult patients with congenital cleft lip and palate using Delaire architectural analysis, and study the influences of early repair surgery to the development of the whole dento-craniofacial-cervicum region.

METHODS37 adult cleft lip and palate (CLP) patients were chosen and divided into 3 groups according to the operative time and method. The cephalogram were analyzed with Delaire's architectural analysis software, and the results were compared with the database of normal occlusion population, as well as between the groups.

RESULTS1) There were 3 measurements (MP-F7, L1-MP, ANS-F5) in group A statistically different with control, and 8(Cp-Oi/M-Oi, Pts-M/M-Oi, C1-C4, Me-Met(v), U1-C1, U1-L1, L1-MP, Go-Cp-Got) in group B, 4 (Cp-Oi/M-Oi, U1-L1, L1-MP, Go-Cp-Got) in group C (P < 0.05). 2) There were 2 measurements (C1-C4, U1-C1) statistically different between group A and B, 2 (Pts-Cp/M-Oi, ANS-F5) between group B and C (P < 0.05). There was no statistically different between group A and C (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION1) CLP patient shows maxilla hypodevelopment despite whether early surgery conducted or not, and the mandible more or less show a trend of clockwise rotation and a hyperdivergent profile compared. 2) The disease itself can cause deformity of jaw bones, and early repair surgery also has influences to the development of the craniofacial area.