Evolution of Postoperative Edema in Alveolar Graft Performed With Bone Morphogenetic Protein (rhBMP-2).

To evaluate the evolution of facial edema in the postoperative period after alveolar graft surgeries performed with collagen membrane soaked with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) in individuals with cleft lip and palate.

Longitudinal prospective.

Tertiary craniofacial center.

One hundred fifty individuals submitted to alveolar graft.

In the preoperative consultation and 4 days after surgery, the individuals were assessed as to age, professional performing the surgery, duration of the procedure, type of cleft, measurement of facial edema, mouth opening, and global evaluation of the postoperative period.

Statistical analysis was performed to compare the facial edema and different variables, at a significance level of .05.

The maximum facial edema occurred between 3 and 4 days postoperatively, was inversely proportional to age and mouth opening, greater for female patients compared with male patients, for incomplete unilateral cleft lip and palate compared with other types of clefts, and for surgeon 1 compared with the other surgeons at some moment postoperatively. The surgeries were longer for complete unilateral and bilateral clefts. The difference was statistically significant for these variables.

The facial edema was influenced by the rhBMP-2 used in alveolar graft, and trismus was proportional to the intensity of facial edema.