OBJECTIVETo establish the animal model with unilateral alveolar cleft and its effect on the nose growth.

METHODS10 dogs were used. One side was selected to receive operation to create alveolar cleft, with the unoperated side as control side. The alveolar cleft was 10 mm in width. The dogs were harvested 10 weeks later. With the 3-D reconstruction of skull, cephalometric measurement was performed and analyzed with Amira software, the bilateral alar cartilage was dissected for comparison of cartilage growth.

RESULTSThe alveolar was not closed. The growth of alar cartilage on cleft side was poor, with asymmetric nostril. The lateral crus of alar on the cleft side was down-displaced. The nasal tip was deviated to the healthy side, with the columella to the cleft side. Histologic study showed better cartilage growth in healthy side than in cleft side.

CONCLUSIONSThe unnormal mechanical structure in unilateral alveolar cleft can affect the alar cartilage growth and nose shape. Early repair may improve the bony structure for alar development, as well as the soft tissue growth.