Facial Artery Musculomucosal Flap and Bone Volume Gain in Alveolar Cleft Repair"

Research question:

Is the usage of the facial artery musculomucosal flap (FAMM) technique effective on the bone volume in the repair of alveolar cleft?

Aim of the study:

To evaluate the application of the facial artery musculomucosal flap (FAMM) technique on the bone volume in the repair of alveolar cleft.

Trial design: clinical trial: one group, one arm containing (7) cases.

Statement of the problem:

The alveolar cleft has not obtained as much interest as labial or palatal clefts, and the management of this type of cleft remains controversial. There were multiple theories and preferred treatment methods regarding each step in alveolar cleft management according to grafting, the most appropriate age, the ideal material, and whether adjunctive procedures such as orthodontic expansion should be used before or after grafting.

Alveolar bone grafting (ABG) has been widely used to repair the alveolar bone defect in most cleft cases. The aim of ABG is the restoration of dental arch continuity and maxillary stability, closure of the oronasal fistulae (ONF), facilitation of subsequent orthodontic treatment, enhancement of nasal symmetry, establishment of better oral hygiene, and limitation of the growth disturbances.

FAMM flaps have been widely used for small- and medium-sized defects primarily of the oral cavity and other head and neck regions. Their clinical applications are diverse. They are mostly applied to reconstruct defects from tumor ablation, but other indications include repair of cleft palate, septal perforation, and osteoradionecrosis.