Short-stay cleft palate surgery with intraoperative dexamethasone and marcaine

The perioperative management of cleft palate surgery remains controversial. Early literature supported hospital stays of 2-5 days, but more recent reports have supported 24-hour admissions in carefully screened patients without congenital syndromes. We retrospectively reviewed 65 cleft palate repairs performed by the senior author from August 1992 through November 2003. Procedures included repairs of the soft palate (n = 25), hard palate (n = 4), or combined hard and soft palate (n = 36). All repairs were performed using a Furlow double, opposing Z-plasty technique. Nine patients (14%) had associated congenital syndromes. Prior to January 1995, patients (n = 15) received perioperative antibiotics and local injection of lidocaine with epinephrine prior to incision. The average operative time to first oral feeding was 13 hours, and the average length of stay in this group was 2.4 days. Previous oral surgery literature has demonstrated the reduction of pain, edema, and trismus with the use of dexamethasone. As part of our recent operative protocol, all patients (n = 50) after January 1995 received perioperative antibiotics, local injection of a 50/50 mixture of 1% lidocaine with epinephrine, and 0.5% Marcaine with epinephrine prior to incision and 4 mg of intravenous dexamethasone perioperatively. The average time to first feeding was 7 hours and the average length of stay was 1.1 days. Postoperatively, patients from both groups were maintained on a liquid or soft diet, depending on their age without the use of bottles. There were no differences in the use of antibiotics or pain management between the 2 groups. Patients were assessed by the surgical team for evaluation of the surgical site and oral intake prior to discharge. Patients in the steroid/Marcaine group had earlier oral intake (P < 0.05) and shorter length of stay (P < 0.05). Of those patients receiving dexamethasone and Marcaine, 43/50 (86%) were discharged within 24 hours. Patients requiring longer hospitalization had initially inadequate oral intake. One patient required readmission for dehydration secondary to rotavirus. In conclusion, short-stay cleft palate surgery is safe, given adequate oral intake, competent parents, and a safe home environment.     

Early cleft lip repair in children with unilateral complete cleft lip and palate: a case against primary alveolar repair

All children with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate will develop some degree of malocclusion regardless whether the alveolar cleft is repaired primarily or bone grafting is deferred. To evaluate the impact of early gingivoperiosteoplasty on occlusal relationships, dental models were obtained in 5-year-old patients who underwent early cleft lip and palate repair with primary boneless bone grafting (Skoog's method) (56 children) and without alveolar intervention (51 children). The Goslon's occlusion grading system was applied to evaluate occlusal relationships in both groups. Patients with early surgical intervention to repair alveolar cleft demonstrated poor occlusal relationship with the Goslon score 4 and 5, which will likely need an orthognathic corrective procedure (50% vs. 19.6% in patients without early primary dissection of the alveolar process). Results reaffirm that an inclusion of the alveolar process into the early primary lip repair adds to the severity of occlusal maldevelopment.     

正颌联合正畸矫治唇腭裂术后牙颌面畸形

目的以正颌外科手术联合正畸治疗的方法矫治唇腭裂术后牙颌面畸形。方法1996年以来共矫治此类畸形2l例，采用手术方法如下：Le FortⅠ型截骨术7例；多片段Le FortⅠ型截骨术5例；Le FortⅠ型截骨术加双侧下颌升支矢状劈开术（BSSRO）4例；BSSRO加颏成形术2例：Le FortⅠ型截骨术加下颌体部截骨术2例；BSSRO1例。结果2l例术后均达到模型外科设计要求，术后随访14例，平均25．6个月，九严重并发症及明显复发。12例行术前后正畸治疗者希关系及面部外形均满意，另2例个别牙齿矛台关系欠佳。结论以正颌外科手术联合正畸治疗的方法矫治成年期唇腭裂术后牙颌面畸形可取得满意结果。     

Cleft lip and palate patients prior to delayed closure of the hard palate: evaluation of maxillary morphology and the effect of early stimulation on pre-school speech

Speech and maxillary development were analysed in two groups of patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate; both groups had early jaw orthopaedic treatment and a surgical regimen that included two-stage lip surgery (mean ages of 2 and 19 months) and soft palate repair (8 months). Closure of the hard palate was postponed until the children were 8 to 10 years of age. The first group comprised 10 consecutive patients who were analysed at 5 and 7 years of age, and the second group seven patients who were studied at the age of 5. Both groups were thus investigated before the repair of the cleft in the hard palate. In addition to surgical and jaw orthopaedic treatment, the second group of patients received early stimulation of lip and tongue tip movements. Our results indicated that hypernasality was less a problem than was retracted palatal or velar articulation of dental consonants. These deviations tended to be reduced, however, after early stimulation. There seemed to be no clear association between the size of the residual cleft in the hard palate and the extent of speech development. The average size of the residual cleft in our patients was comparatively small, and decreased further during follow up. We conclude that preschool children with unilateral cleft lip and palate may develop good speech, in spite of the residual cleft, if they use an intraoral plate and are given extra lip and tongue tip stimulation, together with early speech therapy if necessary.     

用医学美学的理念指导唇腭裂患儿的临床护理

目的:总结以医学美学的理念指导先天性唇腭裂患儿临床护理的经验。方法:本组患儿309例,男169例,女140例;年龄:1月~18岁,体重1.5~66Kg;单纯唇裂79例,唇裂伴腭裂181例,单纯腭裂49例。所有患者均行手术整复。主要的护理内容有:从医学美学的角度进行唇腭裂相关知识的宣教;帮助患儿及父母的心理达到平衡状态;以医学美学的理念指导常规护理操作和舒适护理;美化病房环境;出院的美学指导。结果:309例唇腭裂患儿的护理均取得了较满意的效果,唇裂患儿术后容貌明显美观;仅8例腭裂患儿发生腭瘘或复裂,其余患儿创口愈合良好,悬雍垂成形,语音明显改善。结论:以医学美学的理念指导临床护理,有助于提高唇腭裂患儿的医护质量和患者满意度,并有利于提高护理人员的美学修养。     

Cleft lip and palate repair: the experience from two West African sub-regional centres.

Compliance with primary surgical treatment in people with cleft lip and palate is a well-known problem, especially in developing countries fraught with poverty and ignorance. Different protocols of treatment exist. In this paper, we retrospectively review a cohort from two centres, with a discussion on the outcome and its implications. The records of all patients with cleft lip and palate seen in the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria, from January 1993 to December 1999, were sought, and all available case notes reviewed retrospectively. This included new cases seen in the period, and also cases operated during this period. Follow up took place until January 2005, when the data were collated. The records of all such patients seen at Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital Osogbo, Nigeria, from September 2004 to June 2006 were also collated and analysed. During this period, 102 patients were seen (93 at Enugu and nine at Osogbo). Fifteen had isolated cleft palate, 42 had isolated cleft lip and 45 had combined cleft lip and palate. Presentation time ranged from 1 day to 43 years. The palate was not repaired in 20 people after lip repair; two patients with cleft lip and palate completely defaulted; and only one person with isolated cleft palate failed to undergo surgery in this period. Two patients in Osogbo absconded. The West African sub-region has a high drop out rate after lip repair.     

Cleft deformities in Zimbabwe, Africa: socioeconomic factors, epidemiology, and surgical reconstruction

In the African country of Zimbabwe, a variety of socioeconomic factors have contributed to a lack of specialty care and resources for the indigent population. Although cleft lip and palate has a lower incidence in Africa (0.67 per 1000 births) than in Latin America or Asia, access to reconstructive surgery is often difficult to obtain. A surgical team worked with Zimbabweans at the Harare Central Hospital, Harare, to perform cleft surgery for 39 patients. We review the epidemiology of cleft deformities in Africa, our experience with 39 patients with cleft lip and palate, and the techniques used to address 2 patients with midfacial clefts. To our knowledge, this retrospective case review and epidemiologic literature review is the first review of cleft care in Zimbabwe. Poverty in Zimbabwe, caused in part by the highest inflation rate in the world, has contributed to the emigration of a large number of specialists to other countries. In addition, the health care system is overwhelmed by a high prevalence rate of human immunodeficiency virus (25%), leading to a drastically reduced parental life expectancy (mean life expectancy, 36 years). Primary and secondary cleft lip and palate repairs were completed without complications. Children requiring care beyond the scope of this mission were referred to the Republic of South Africa. The cooperation among the Zimbabwean administration, physicians, and nurses was integral to the organization and successful execution of this reconstructive surgical mission. Ultimately, until the socioeconomic conditions improve in Zimbabwe, training and continuing education of local physicians are imperative to advance the care of children with cleft lip and palate.     

异氟醚与氯胺酮麻醉诱导对婴儿唇腭裂修复术后苏醒的比较

目的比较异氟醚与氯胺酮麻醉诱导对婴儿唇腭裂术后苏醒的影响.方法对208例1～12月婴儿全麻下行唇腭裂修复术的病例进行分析,按照不同的麻醉诱导方法分为氯胺酮组(K组)和异氟醚组(Ⅰ组),比较两组术后自主呼吸恢复时间、拔管时间、清醒时间、送入恢复室的例数、恢复室停留时间以及苏醒期躁动发生率.结果Ⅰ组自主呼吸恢复时间、拔管时间、清醒时间、送入恢复室的例数以及恢复室停留时间均少于K组,而Ⅰ组苏醒期躁动的发生率高于K组.结论和氯胺酮诱导相比,异氟醚吸入诱导用于婴儿唇腭裂修复术有利于患儿术后的快速苏醒,但同时苏醒期躁动的发生率增加.     

A comparison of dermabond tissue adhesive and sutures in the primary repair of the congenital cleft lip

OBJECTIVE: To compare the long-term cosmesis of Dermabond (octyl-2-cyanoacrylate) and traditional skin sutures among patients undergoing primary cleft lip +/- palate repair. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eleven patients underwent photographic analysis following primary cleft lip +/- palate repair, including the use of Dermabond. Eleven age-matched controls who underwent cleft lip +/- palate repair with traditional suture closure served as controls. Cosmesis was assessed by 3 blinded plastic surgeons using a visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Hollander Wound Evaluation Scale (HWES). RESULTS: The overall mean VAS score for the patients treated with and without Dermabond was 70.0 (SD, 9.5) and 68.3 (SD, 13.4), respectively (P = 0.46). The overall mean HWES score for the patients treated with and without Dermabond was 1.7 (SD 1.7) (P = 0.92). CONCLUSIONS: Dermabond tissue adhesive offers equivalent mature wound cosmesis as traditional suture closure in the repair of the congenital cleft lip +/- palate.     

Cleft surgery in East timor: the first four years

BACKGROUND: Following the vote for independence in 1999, this team commenced the first coherent reconstructive surgical service in East Timor. The aim of this paper is to report the cleft lip and palate surgical experience during the 4 years since independence. METHODS: From June 2000, a record of all cleft surgical procedures carried out by our team in East Timor has been maintained. This has been reviewed to identify the clinical experience, procedures carried out and the outcomes of the cleft population in this, the poorest and newest, nation in Asia. RESULTS: From the 519 reconstructive surgical procedures carried out by this team in East Timor during the first 4 years, 267 were for cleft lip and palate deformity. Cleft lip and nose repairs were most commonly undertaken, although over the period of the study increasing numbers of cleft palate repairs were evident, reflecting the developing confidence in the service by the local population. CONCLUSION: The establishment of a regular, consistent cleft lip and palate surgical team in East Timor has not only seen the successful correction of a large number of untreated cleft patients, but has also contributed to a restoration of trust in the newly developing health system in East Timor.     

Oro-nasal fistula development and velopharyngeal insufficiency following primary cleft palate surgery--an audit of 148 children born between 1985 and 1997.

We present an audit of primary cleft palate surgery in our unit including rates of two important post-operative complications. Multidisciplinary audit clinics ran from March 1998 to April 2002 to follow up all local patients with a cleft lip or palate who had undergone primary palatal surgery in our unit. One hundred and forty eight patients were studied. Patient ages at follow-up ranged from 3 years and 10 months to 17 years and 4 months. Two surgeons performed the primary surgery. One hundred and twenty eight Wardill-Kilner and 20 Von Langenbeck repairs were performed. We found a 4.7% rate of oro-nasal fistula development requiring surgical closure, and a 26.4% rate of velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) requiring subsequent pharyngoplasty. We noted that the type of cleft involved affected the rate of VPI, 16% of patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate versus 29.2% of patients with a solitary cleft palate requiring secondary surgery. Outcome of surgery was determined by a 'Cleft Audit Protocol for Speech' (CAPS) speech therapy assessment at follow-up clinics. Only 14.9% of all patients assessed demonstrated any degree of hypernasality. Our results compare favourably with other recent studies including the Clinical Standards Advisory Group (CSAG) report into treatment of children with cleft lip and palate.     

阶段性延续护理对提高唇腭裂患儿健康结局的影响

目的探究阶段性延续护理对提高唇腭裂患儿健康结局的影响。方法 2017年2月至2018年2月,90例唇腭裂患儿按方便分组方式分成对照组和实验组(n=45),对照组给予常规护理,实验组给予阶段性延续护理。结果实验组术后并发症发生率及SDS、SAS评分均低于对照组(P<0.05),患儿家长伤口护理能力高于对照组(P<0.05)。结论阶段性延续护理有助于降低唇腭裂患儿术后并发症发生率,能有效提高患儿家长对患儿伤口的护理能力,值得推广应用。     

Facial morphology and occlusion at the stage of early mixed dentition in cleft lip and palate patients treated with delayed closure of the hard palate

Cephalometric radiographs and dental study casts were analyzed in a group of 23 seven-year-old cleft lip and palate patients, 16 with unilateral and 7 with bilateral cleft. The patients' primary surgical procedures had been completed except for closure of the cleft in the hard palate. For comparison, similar records from another group of patients, 18 with unilateral and 8 with bilateral cleft lip and palate, were studied. In these cases the cleft of the hard palate had been repaired in infancy, using a vomer flap procedure. The results indicated that midfacial growth and dental occlusion of the unilateral cleft sample was significantly better in patients whose closure of the hard palatal cleft had been delayed to the stage of mixed dentition than where repair had been performed with a vomer flap in infancy. No differences were found, however, between similar subgroups with bilateral cleft lip and palate.     

Malnutrition in cleft lip and palate children in Uganda

The objective of this study is to investigate the nutritional status of patients with cleft lip and/or palate when compared to non-cleft lip or palate patients. A retrospective analysis was carried out of all patients aged less than 1 year who were operated on in the Comprehensive Rehabilitation Services in Uganda hospital since opening in April 2009 to November 2010. The data was divided into three groups: cleft lip patients; cleft lip and palate patients and non-cleft patients. The WHO anthropometric calculator was used to calculate weight-for-age Z scores on each patient for the initial outpatient appointment and the operation. The demographic data and Z scores were compared using independent T tests. Three hundred and twenty-one patients were identified, 131 patients had cleft lip alone, 112 patients had cleft lip and palate and 78 patients had no cleft. The cleft lip and palate group had significantly lower Z scores for both the outpatient appointment and operation (i.e. were more malnourished) than either the cleft lip group or the non-cleft group. Malnutrition is a well-documented problem associated with cleft lip and palate. Our research confirms this malnutrition but also highlights the severity of the malnutrition. The patients with cleft lip and palate are unable to feed adequately and therefore need intervention. We operate on these patients once they reach a target weight of 3 kg and repair both lip and palate in one operation to enable patients to feed and improve their nutritional status.     

A comparative study of surgical results with rotation-advancement and triangular flap techniques in unilateral cleft lip

This paper presents a randomised comparative study of surgical results of unilateral cleft lip repair with 58 rotation-advancement and 50 triangular flap repairs, the two commonly used types of repair at present, carried out over a period of 6 years. The surgical results following both repairs were assessed on a scoring basis. No significant difference was found in overall postoperative appearance of lip and nose between the two types of repair. As a result, we recommend either technique for unilateral cleft of the lip.     

双侧唇腭裂婴幼儿正畸与外科治疗新技术——术前鼻-牙槽骨塑形和早期同期唇-鼻-牙槽整复术

目的：探索双侧唇腭裂婴幼儿术前鼻-牙槽骨塑形及同期唇-鼻-牙槽整复术的时机、方法、特点,并进行其疗效的初步观察。方法：对21例双侧唇腭裂婴幼儿进行了术前鼻-牙槽骨塑形和同期唇-鼻-牙槽整复术。术前鼻-牙槽骨塑形主要包括前颌后退、牙槽骨间隙的关闭、唇的牵张及鼻的矫形;同期唇-鼻-牙槽整复术包括牙龈-牙周膜-牙槽骨整形术及改良长庚式双侧唇裂唇鼻同期整复术。结果：21例行术前鼻-牙槽骨塑形的患者前唇后退充分;唇裂隙宽度变窄,裂隙两侧唇组织适度牵张;鼻小柱延长及鼻塌陷畸形明显改善;牙槽裂隙变窄为1～2mm。19例术后患者经1～5年随访,结果表明：唇鼻形态良好;前庭沟连续;口-鼻腔瘘封闭;16例上牙槽连续、稳定,但部分病例牙槽高度、宽度稍嫌不足,其中13例患者在原牙槽裂隙处长出乳齿。结论：双侧唇裂患者为了获得理想的唇鼻形态及完整稳定的牙槽骨,术前进行正畸鼻-牙槽突塑形和早期同期唇-鼻-牙槽整复术是一种实用、无创、安全、可行、经济、值得借鉴的序列治疗方法。     

Early repair for infants with cleft lip. Retrospective study of 263 cleft lip repairs

This study attempts to define the effect of early repair on the surgical procedure and immediate outcome of cleft lip surgery. The first part deals with 263 consecutive cleft lip repairs (218 infants) categorized retrospectively by age at operation. 123 patients (150 cleft lips) were operated on during the first 4 weeks of life; a subgroup of 40 infants was operated on at a week or less of age; 95 patients (113 cleft lips) were operated at an older age (1 to 12 months). There were no significant difference in immediate surgical result between the groups and there was no apparent difference in the operative results as defined by whether or not the child needed subsequent revision. We are currently encouraging early repair in the full-term baby as the optimum method of management of newborns with cleft lip.     

Comparison of the rate of palatal fistulation after two-flap and four-flap palatoplasty

We studied 73 repairs of cleft palate (48 cleft lip and palate and 25 isolated cleft palate) done during a 7-year period (January 1996–October 2002) by the same plastic reconstructive surgeon. Two-flap or four-flap palatoplasty techniques were used to provide tension-free, three-layer repairs for patients with cleft palate. Their ages ranged from 10–244 months (mean 27). The postoperative follow-up period ranged from 6 to 60 months (mean 21). There was a palatal fistulation rate of 7% (5/73). There were two fistulas after two-flap palatoplasty (5%, 2/39), and three fistulas after four-flap palatoplasty (9%, 3/34). The mean diameter was 7.8 mm (range 5.1 to 13). There was no significant difference between the two techniques.     

Comparison of the rate of palatal fistulation after two-flap and four-flap palatoplasty.

We studied 73 repairs of cleft palate (48 cleft lip and palate and 25 isolated cleft palate) done during a 7-year period (January 1996-October 2002) by the same plastic reconstructive surgeon. Two-flap or four-flap palatoplasty techniques were used to provide tension-free, three-layer repairs for patients with cleft palate. Their ages ranged from 10-244 months (mean 27). The postoperative follow-up period ranged from 6 to 60 months (mean 21). There was a palatal fistulation rate of 7% (5/73). There were two fistulas after two-flap palatoplasty (5%, 2/39), and three fistulas after four-flap palatoplasty (9%, 3/34). The mean diameter was 7.8 mm (range 5.1 to 13). There was no significant difference between the two techniques.     

The changing pattern of analgesic and anti-inflammatory drug use in cleft lip and palate repair.

OBJECTIVE: This work aimed at performing a retrospective and comparative investigation of pharmacological therapeutic approach for pain and inflammation control for cleft lip and/or palate repair. STUDY DESIGN: Medical charts from 2000 patients who underwent surgical procedures at the Hospital for Rehabilitation of Craniofacial Anomalies, University of S?o Paulo (HRAC-USP), Brazil, were assessed to obtain information regarding type of cleft, surgical procedure, and analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs prescribed. The first 1000 consecutive surgeries performed in 1992 and 2002 were assessed. RESULTS: Different analgesic and anti-inflammatory agents-nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), steroids, and opioids-were given to patients perioperatively and postoperatively. NSAIDS were given to almost all patients (97.03% in 1992 and 99.88% in 2002, P > .05). Steroid administration increased in 2002 (8.66% versus 17.71%, P < .05). Opioids were administered only in 2002 (50.31%, P < .05). CONCLUSION: NSAIDS, steroids, and opioids were used for pain and inflammation control in cleft lip and palate repair at HRAC-USP. A change in the pattern of analgesic and anti-inflammatory drug use was observed when comparing 1992 and 2002. More potent compounds, such as opioids, were used in 2002 in a significant percentage of all the surgical procedures.