Objective: To evaluate maxillary sinus volumetric changes using CBCT, following BAMP with and without maxillary expansion in a sample of patients with surgically repaired complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP).
Material and methods: The pre and posttreatment full skull CBCT scans of 20 growing patients (mean age= 10.8, SD=1.2) with surgically repaired complete UCLP, who were treated with BAMP protocol were retrieved from the archive of the Orthodontic Department -Ain Shams University. Patients were divided into two groups: the first group was treated with BAMP alone while the second group was treated with BAMP preceded by maxillary expansion. Maxillary sinus volumetric changes were evaluated three-dimensionally after 9 months investigation period using CBCT scans.
Results: There was a significant increase in the volume of both the right and left maxillary sinuses in both groups. No significant difference in volume increase was found between both sides in each group and between the two groups. The average sinuses volume showed a significant increase in each group without a significant difference between the two groups.
Conclusion: BAMP protocol could increase the maxillary sinus volume in patients with UCLP, in both the cleft and the non-cleft sides. Preceding the protocol by maxillary expansion has no significant additional effect.