Key Points on Short Term Medical Mission International organization on Orofacial cleft

Abstract

Background: Children suffering from congenital facial malformations in underdeveloped countries are the main objective of the STMMIs with the aim of easing their lives. Clarós Foundation (CF) has carried out 115 missions worldwide with the aim, among others, of treating patients with this type of orofacial cleft malformation. We think that the experience we have acquired in this field can be transmitted to new NGOs institutions that want or wish to continue in this line. The optimization of the use of means and human resources, both from the NGO and the local health workers, will make it possible to achieve greater outcomes and results when applied in the development of Short Term Medical Mission International (STMMIs) missions. Material and Methods: We present the experience CF has acquired throughout the various STMMIs it has accomplished, during a period of 7 days each, specifying the details of its organization, patient selection, preparation of the surgery and its performance, in a well- organized manner to be fast, effective and safe in its results. During each of the 115 missions, the medical team has treated patients with this congenital pathology, in different proportions that go from 90% of the total cases to only 10% of the patients attended. The surgical techniques applied are those used in our medical center in Barcelona, which we may say, are the state-of-the-art surgical techniques used by the most advancedcenters. Results: A total of 1725 patientsunderwent surgery throughout 115 STMMIs, averageduration of 7 days each,115 STMMIs by 15 cases average. During this time 925 patients were operated for cleft lip and 800 patients for cleft palate. Male patients accounted for 58% and female for 42%. According to the age of the patients we found that the majority of cases were operated on babies 68.35% (1.179 neonatal period); 20.2% on children (300 cases) and (19.76%) adolescents (233 cases); and 1.10% adults in the 20-67 age range (13 cases). Of the total number of operated patients(1.725), there have been few immediate and late postoperative complications, but we estimate them at 11%. Conclusion: International cooperation between experienced NGOs and local medical teams turn out to be much more effective, less expensive and with better clinical results than those obtained without this collaboration. This organizational model can be very useful in order to know the details that these missions entail and apply them in your own activities.