Electromyographic Activity of the Masseter and Temporal Muscles in Patients With Nonsyndromic Complete Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate: 2-Stage Versus 1-Stage Palate Repair

OBJECTIVE: To assess the electromyographic activity of the masseter and temporal muscles in cleft patients who underwent 1-stage palate repair versus 2-stage palate repair. METHODS: Thirty-two patients with nonsyndromic complete unilateral cleft lip and palate operated by 2 different protocols for palate repair, 1-stage (group 1, n = 16) versus 2-stage with delayed hard palate closure (group 2, n = 16) were available in the retrospective longitudinal study. Standardized electromyographic records of the masseter and anterior portion of temporal muscles were obtained with 2 repetitions during mastication and rest. RESULTS: No statistically significant (all P > 0.05) differences were observed in the electromyographic data between the groups 1 and 2. CONCLUSION: There were similar electromyographic activity of masseter and temporal muscles during mastication and at rest after 1- and 2-stage palate closure.