Distraction Osteogenesis and Orthognathic Surgery for Cleft Lip and Palate: A Literature Review

ABSTRACT Background Cleft lip and palate (CLP) is the most prevalent craniofacial malformation, frequently associated with maxillary hypoplasia, velopharyngeal dysfunction and aesthetic alterations that compromise quality of life. Among surgical strategies, orthognathic surgery (OS) and distraction osteogenesis (DO) remain the most widely applied techniques for correction of maxillary deficiencies in CLP patients. Objective This literature review focuses on analysing and synthesising the current evidence on the most commonly used OS and DO techniques in patients with CLP, highlighting their indications, results and limitations. Methods A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library and Taylor and Francis, including clinical studies, systematic reviews and meta‐analyses published in the last 15 years. Results OS provides immediate correction of moderate maxillofacial defor