Impact of Active and Passive Maxillary Plates on Cleft Width Morphology in Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate: A Prospective Intervention Study

<b>Background:</b> This study investigated the effects of preoperative maxillary plates on cleft width reduction in infants with unilateral cleft lip and palate and their control group. The study also aimed to compare the digital and manual methods in measurement of changes in maxillary segment positioning in sagittal and transverse dimensions using digital 3D models and conventional plaster casts. <b>Methods:</b> Twenty infants with unilateral cleft lip and palate and their control group of eleven infants with isolated cleft palate were enrolled in a prospective interventional study (2020 to 2024). Participants were treated with either active or passive maxillary plates. Sagittal, transversal and angular measurements were taken both manually as well as digitally at three time points: 24-48 h postnatal (T0), approximately at six months old (T1, immediately before surgery), and one year postoperatively (T2). <b>Results:</b> Significant reductions in cleft width were observed across all patients over the treatment period, regardless of the type of plate used (<i>p</i> < 0.001). The mean cleft width reduction was 5.050 mm. Infants treated with active plates had a larger reduction in cleft width than those with passive plates (<i>p</i> = 0.024), averaging 5.846 mm compared to 3.571 mm. Neither the side of the cleft nor the patient's gender influenced the degree of cleft reduction (<i>p</i> = 0.884 and <i>p</i> = 0.245, respectively). The study found significant modifications in the maxilla's transverse, sagittal, and angular dimensions (<i>p</i> < 0.001). When comparing sagittal growth, the study group differed from the control group (<i>p</i> = 0.004), with isolated cleft palate patients showing more substantial sagittal expansion. Additionally, the overall change in the ITT' distance differed significantly between the study and control groups over time (<i>p</i> < 0.001). Cleft size at baseline did not affect the extent of changes within the cleft area. No significant discrepancies were found between digital and manual measurement methods, confirming the reliability of both. <b>Conclusions:</b> Active plates demonstrated greater efficacy in cleft reduction for wider and more divergent clefts, while passive plates were suitable for smaller clefts.