Reliability of the SWAG—The Standardized Way to Assess Grafts Method for Alveolar Bone Grafting in Patients with Cleft Lip and Palate

Abstract

Objective The objective of this study was to test a new method, a Standardized Way to Assess Grafts (SWAG), to rate alveolar bone graft (ABG) outcomes for patients with cleft lip and palate. Design This was a retrospective comparison using the SWAG scale. Setting This study took place in four cleft palate centers with different treatment protocols. Methods A total of 160 maxillary occlusal radiographs taken 3 to 18 months post-ABG for sequentially treated patients with cleft lip and palate were assessed using the SWAG scale. Radiographs were scanned, standardized, blinded, and rated by 6 calibrated orthodontists to assess vertical thirds, bony root coverage, and complete bony fill. All radiographs were rated twice, 24 hours apart, by the same raters. Main Outcomes Intra- and interrater reliabilities were assessed. Results Intrarater reliability was good to very good (.760; .652–.834), and interrater reliability was moderate to good (.606; .569–.681), comparable to previously published methods. Conclusions Rater reliabilities were shown to be comparable to or better than existing methods. The SWAG method was validated for ABG assessments in the mixed and permanent dentitions based on reliabilities in an intercenter outcome comparison.