This is a brief clinical report describing an 18-month-old female with Robin sequence found to have an incidental mandibular cystic lesion on a head computed tomography scan in the preoperative workup before performing mandibular distraction. She underwent enucleation of the tumor, which was found to be a dentigerous cyst. One year following cyst enucleation, mandibular distraction was performed in order to alleviate her tongue-based obstruction. This case demonstrates the ability of the mandibular bone to successfully regenerate after undergoing cyst enucleation.
Child* ; Dentigerous Cyst* ; Female ; Head ; Humans ; Infant ; Mandible ; Pierre Robin Syndrome* ; Songbirds*

This is a brief clinical report describing an 18-month-old female with Robin sequence found to have an incidental mandibular cystic lesion on a head computed tomography scan in the preoperative workup before performing mandibular distraction. She underwent enucleation of the tumor, which was found to be a dentigerous cyst. One year following cyst enucleation, mandibular distraction was performed in order to alleviate her tongue-based obstruction. This case demonstrates the ability of the mandibular bone to successfully regenerate after undergoing cyst enucleation.
Child* ; Dentigerous Cyst* ; Female ; Head ; Humans ; Infant ; Mandible ; Pierre Robin Syndrome* ; Songbirds*

Background: The cause of maxillary growth restriction in patients with cleft lip and palate remains controversial. While studies have investigated the effects surgical technique and timing have on maxillary growth, few focus on patients with isolated cleft palate (ICP). The purpose of this study was to determine the impact palate repair and its associated complications may have on maxillary growth. Methods: A retrospective chart review of ICP patients who underwent palatoplasty from 1962 to 1999 at Akron Children’s Hospital was performed. Patient demographics, Veau type, age at primary repair, closure technique, presence of fistula or velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI), number of palatal operations, maxillary hypoplasia (MH) frequency, and follow-up were recorded. Exclusion criteria included patients with cleft lip, submucous cleft, or syndromes. Results: Twenty-nine non-syndromic ICP patients were identified; 62% (n = 18) had Veau type 1 and 38% (n = 11) had Veau type 2. All patients underwent 2-flap or Furlow palatoplasty with mobilization of mucoperiosteal flaps. Vomerine flaps were used in all Veau 2 cleft palate closures. Palatoplasty was performed at a mean age of 19.9 ± 8.2 months. Average follow-up was 209 ± 66.5 months. The rate of VPI was 59% (n = 17) and the rate of oronasal fistula was 14% (n = 4). Conclusions There was a low incidence of MH despite complications after initial palate closure. Our results seem to suggest that age at palate closure, type of cleft palate, and type of surgical technique may not be associated with MH. Additionally, subsequent procedures and complications after primary palatoplasty such as VPI and palatal fistula may not restrict maxillary growth.