[The effect of the postoperative use of a palatal plate for the prevention of maxillary contraction in cleft palate].

We have already reported that the maxillary was markedly contracted 1 month after a cleft palate operation. Since we thought that this was mainly attributable to cicatrized contraction of the operation region, we prepared a palatal plate and inserted it from an early stage after palate plasty. In this paper we present our summarized findings on the use of the palatal plate. We report on its use both immediately after the operation, and for a period of 3 months after the operation. Its use in both cases is intended to prevent maxillary contraction following surgical treatment of the cleft palate.