Correlation Between Presurgical Alveolar Cleft Volume Measured by Simulation Software Using CBCT and Actual Bone Volume Used for Grafting

Abstract

Objective To assess correlation between presurgical alveolar cleft volume measured by simulation software using CBCT and actual bone volume used for grafting. Design Prospective. Setting University hospital. Patients Patients with UCCLP who underwent alveolar bone grafting. Interventions 23 CBCT images of patients with UCCLP, aged 8.6–22.9 years, were taken. Alveolar cleft volume was measured using Mimics® software. Paired t-test was used to compare volume calculated from two measuring methods. Independent t-test was used to compare the volume between two age groups. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to assess correlation between two measuring methods. Main Outcome Measures Paired t-test showed statistically significant difference between two measuring methods. Independent t-test showed statistically significant difference between both measuring methods in both age groups. Differences between two variables in both age groups were not significantly different. Pearson's correlation coefficient indicated significantly positive correlation between presurgical alveolar cleft volume measured by simulation software using CBCT and actual bone volume used for grafting. Results Mean alveolar cleft volume measured by computer simulation was 1.30  ±  0.40 ml, whereas actual bone volume used for grafting was 1.10  ±  0.39 ml. Mean difference between both measuring methods was 0.20  ±  0.14 ml. Mean alveolar cleft volume measured by simulation software, as well as actual bone volume used for grafting, differ significantly between 2 age groups. Conclusions There was significantly positive correlation between two measuring methods. CBCT method overestimated actual bone graft volume. Surgeons may harvest alveolar bone grafts ranging from 82% to 100% of CBCT volume.