Alveolar bone grafting: results of a national outcome study

INTRODUCTIONIn 1998, the Clinical Standards Advisory Group (CSAG) report demonstrated a successful radiographic outcome of 58%, for alveolar bone grafting, from 157 cases of unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) in children aged 12 years. No further national studies have assessed the current level of radiographic outcome following the re-organisation of cleft services since the recommendations from the CSAG report. PATIENTS AND METHODSIn 2008, radiographic images were requested for alveolar bone grafts performed in calendar year2006 from each of the now established UK cleft centres. A sample of 206 patients with 235 grafted sites was scored by a panel of trained assessors, following a calibration exercise, using a modified Kindelan index. Inter- and intra-observer variation was assessed. RESULTSThe overall radiographic success rate for the 2006 images assessed was 85%. There was no statistical difference for radiographic success between centres or surgeons or cleft type when defined as either a bilateral...