ObjectiveTo study the inhibitory effect of Sommerlad technique on the growth of the maxilla by comparing the wound healing between Sommerlad and Von Langenbeck techniques in repair of isolated cleft palate. MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted on 54 patients with isolated cleft palate who received palatoplasty with levator veli palatini retropositioning according to Sommerlad between June 2005 and August 2011 as trial group;89 cleft patients received Von Langenbeck technique repair between June 2003 and September 2006 as control group.There was no significant difference in gender and age between 2 groups (P>0.05).The operation time,intraoperative blood loss,body temperature,and fever were recorded and compared;the wound healing was observed,and the palatal mucosa was graded according to Karsten standard. ResultsThe operation time of trial group [(72.2±5.5) minutes] was significantly longer than that of control group [(58.1±6.8) minutes] (t=4.494,P=0.000);the intraoperative blood loss of trial group [(18.6±6.5) mL] was significantly less than that of control group [(34.2±10.2) mL] (t=2.447,P=0.000).Within postoperative 48 hours,the highest body temperature was 36.6-37.6℃(mean,36.9℃) in trial group,and was 36.8-38.2℃(mean,37.3℃) in control group;fever occurred in 5 patients (9.3%) of trial group and 21 patients (23.6%) of control group,showing significant difference (χ2=4.640,P=0.030).The patients were followed up 3-18 months (mean,9 months) in the trial group,and 3-6 years (mean,4 years) in the control group.Scar was rated as level 0,level 1,and level 2 in 38,13,and 3 cases of trial group,and in 6,35,and 48 cases of control group,showing significant difference (Z=-7.785,P=0.000). ConclusionThe isolated cleft palate repair using Sommerlad technique has the advantages of less injury and less scar tissue,indicating no inhibitory effect on the growth of the maxilla.