Long-term Follow-up of Dizygotic Twins with Differing Cleft Types

Abstract

The incidence of twins with a cleft lip and/or palate is low. It is extremely rare for both dizygotic twins to have a cleft lip and/or palate. There are few reports of the long-term observation of dizygotic twins with differing cleft types. We have consistently treated dizygotic twins for cleft lip and/or palate that grew up in the same home environment until they were 18 years old. The twins were born at 36 weeks and 4 days of gestation and were females. The older twin had a complete right cleft lip and an alveolar ridge （UCLA） while the younger twin had a complete left cleft lip and palate （UCLP）. The younger twin was slightly underweight. Neither twin had any symptomatic disease. On the 27th day following birth, the parents brought them to our department to treat their UCLA and UCLP and improve their feeding. Both children underwent cheiloplasty （Cronin method＋Tange method） when they were 5 months old. The UCLP child underwent palatoplasty （pushback method） at 1 year and 6 months old. Orthodontic treatment was started at the age of 7 years and 2 months for both twins. Alveolar bone grafting with particulate marrow and cancellous iliac bone was performed at the age of 8 years and 11 months to induce the eruption of canine teeth into the dentition. Later, orthodontic treatment for permanent dentition was performed. At the age of 17 years and 11 months, rhinoplasty was performed at the request of both patients. There were some similarities and differences between the two children over the long-term observation period. During their treatment, it was necessary to solve the problems that occurred at each age, cooperating with the related departments and understanding the needs of the parents and children.