FACIAL SENSIBILITY IN ADOLESCENTS WITH AND WITHOUT CLEFTS 1 YEAR AFTER UNDERGOING LE-FORT-I OSTEOTOMY

Static two-point discrimination, pressure, and vibratory threshold val ues were measured at standard coordinates in the area corresponding to the infraorbital nerve distribution in 59 adolescents 1 year after un dergoing LeFort I osteotomy. The patients were divided into three grou ps: those born with unilateral cleft lip and palate (n = 30; mean age, 18 years; SD = 2); those with bilateral cleft lip and palate (n = 12; mean age, 19 years; SD = 3); and those without a cleft (n = 17; mean age, 19 years; SD = 3). One year after the osteotomy, none of the pati ents complained of altered sensibility in the maxillary vestibular muc osa, gingiva, or upper lip and cheek regions. No significant differenc es were found between the mean postoperative sensibility values of pat ients with and without clefts, indicating that the presence of cleftin g did not affect sensory recovery. Mean postoperative static two-point discrimination values were higher than preoperative values in all are as tested and in all patient groups. These results suggest that the se nsory recovery, although incomplete, was strong enough to mask any sub jective feelings of changes in sensory function.