Timing Of Cleft Palate Repair Research Articles

Dehiscence and Fistula Formation Following Anterior Palatal Reconstruction With Vomer Flap.

Anterior palatal reconstruction using vomer flaps has been described during primary cleft lip repair. In this procedure, the mucoperiosteal tissue of the vomer is elevated to reconstruct the nasal mucosa overlying the cleft of the hard palate. Here the authors, evaluate the efficacy of a technique in which a superiorly based vomer flap is sutured to the lateral nasal mucosa. The authors assess vomer flap dehiscence rates and compare the likelihood of fistula development in this cohort to patients who underwent palatoplasty without vomer flap reconstruction. A retrospective chart review was conducted of all palatoplasties performed by the senior author at an academic institution during a 7-year period. Medical records were reviewed for demographic variables, operative characteristics, and postoperative complications up to 1 year following surgery. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess the effects of vomer flap reconstruction on fistula formation, adjusting for age and sex. Fifty-eight (N=58) patients met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 38 patients (control group) underwent cleft palate reconstruction without previous vomer flap placement. The remaining 20 patients underwent cleft lip repair with vomer flap reconstruction before palatoplasty (vomer flap group). When bilateral cases were counted independently, 25 total vomer flap reconstructions were performed. Seventeen of these 25 vomer flap reconstructions (68%) were completely dehisced by the time of cleft palate repair. In the vomer flap group, 3 of the 20 patients (15%) developed fistulas in the anterior hard palate following the subsequent palatoplasty procedure. In the control group, only 1 of the 38 patients (2.6%) developed a fistula in the anterior hard palate. There was no significant association between cohorts and the development of anterior hard palate fistulas [odds ratio=10.88, 95% confidence interval (0.99-297.77) P =0.07], although analysis was limited by low statistical power due to the small sample size. In our patient population, anterior palatal reconstruction using a superiorly based vomer flap technique was associated with complete dehiscence in 68% of cases. Fistula formation in the anterior hard palate was also proportionately higher following initial vomer flap reconstruction (15% versus 2.6%). These results prompted the senior author to adjust his surgical technique to 1 in which the vomer flap overlaps the oral mucosa. While follow-up from these adjusted vomer flap reconstruction cases remains ongoing, early evidence suggests a reduced requirement for surgical revision following implementation of the modified technique.

Prospective Evaluation of Suprazygomatic Maxillary Nerve Block in Cleft Palate Repair

INTRODUCTION: Nerve block techniques anecdotally provide superior analgesia while avoiding complications of opioids after cleft palate repair. We performed a prospective, randomized, controlled trial to compare the efficacy of a suprazygomatic maxillary nerve block (SMB) vs local anesthesia (LA) in decreasing postoperative opioid consumption. METHODS: Patients undergoing primary palatoplasty between March and November 2021 were randomized to receive either (1) SMB with 0.15 ml/kg of 0.2% ropivacaine per side and palatal injection of saline with 1:400,000 epinephrine or (2) LA using 2 ml/kg of 0.125% bupivacaine with 1:400,000 epinephrine. Paired t-tests compared pain scores (Face, Legs, Activity, Crying and Consolability [FLACC]), opioid consumption (morphine milligram equivalents [MME]), oral intake for the first 24 hours postoperatively (POD1), and length of stay (LOS; Table). Table. - A Comparison of Postoperative Outcomes Between the Nerve Block and Local Anesthesia Outcome parameter Local SMB p Value FLACC Scores POD1 2.60 1.64 0.04* Intraoperative MME 2.27 1.99 0.29 MME on POD1 2.21 1.55 0.24 Time to opioid administration (min.) 122.71 151.43 0.32 Time to oral intake (min.) 114.14 310.28 0.03* Total oral intake on POD1 (ml) 567.85 442.14 0.18 LOS (hrs.) 29 28.28 0.35 RESULTS: Fifteen patients met all study endpoints (n = 7 SMB; n = 8 LA). Mean ages at the time of repair were 11.96 (SMB) and 11.17 (LA) months. SMB patients demonstrated lower mean FLACC (1.64 SMB vs 2.60 LA; p = 0.04), yet no significant difference in MME (1.55 SMB vs 2.21 LA; p = 0.24) or in time to opioid administration postoperatively (151.43 min. SMB vs 122.71 min. LA; p = 0.32). SMB patients displayed longer time to oral intake postoperatively (310.3 min. SMB vs 114.1 min. LA; p = 0.03), but no difference in total intake (p = 0.18). CONCLUSION: SMB at the time of cleft palate repair may decrease postoperative pain scores, yet worsen the immediate ability to feed after surgery. Using pain scores to guide and standardize narcotic administration may lead to lower opioid consumption after SMB.

Simultaneous Closure of the Cleft Alveolus and Hard Palate with Concomitant Bone Grafting

Summary:Cleft repair has been in constant evolution since its inception. Conventional repair of the cleft hard palate involves closure of nasal and oral mucosa without bony reconstitution. In many instances, this approach is adequate, but, particularly in complete clefts, the lack of bony support can lead to collapse of the maxillary arch, dental crowding, and posterior cross-bite. To address these shortcomings, our institution performs a two-staged palatoplasty with concomitant bone grafting of the alveolus and hard palate in the second stage. A retrospective review of children who underwent a two-staged palatoplasty at our institution was performed. These patients’ records and images were reviewed for complications and changes in maxillary morphology. Fourteen patients with complete clefts had a two-staged palatoplasty with bone grafting in the second stage. The mean age at surgery was 37.5 months, and the mean follow-up was 16 months. One patient had resorption of the alveolar bone graft requiring additional bone grafting. The remaining patients were without complications and had good consolidation of the bone graft on follow-up imaging. Our early results support that there is a low complication rate (7% regrafting) in those patients who underwent bone grafting at the time of cleft palate repair with early evidence of bony consolidation on imaging and clinical examination. Wide exposure during the repair allows complete grafting of the maxillary bony deficit, which is not possible with traditional alveolar cleft repair and may alleviate the shortcoming of soft-tissue closure only. Future study is necessary to determine long-term outcomes.

Impact of Cleft Palate on Tongue-Based Upper Airway Obstruction in Pierre Robin Sequence: Implications for Mandibular Distraction Osteogenesis and Timing of Cleft Palate Repair

The objectives of this study are to analyze the impact of cleft palate (CP) on upper airway obstruction using polysomnography in patients with Pierre Robin Sequence (PRS) undergoing mandibular distraction osteogenesis (MDO) and subsequent CP repair. A single-surgeon, retrospective chart review was performed of all patients with nonsyndromic PRS treated with MDO. Severity of upper airway obstruction was evaluated pre- and post-distraction via polysomnography. Details of MDO and CP repair were collected and any complications recorded. Twenty-one nonsyndromic PRS patients with CP and 6 patients without CP met inclusion criteria. There was no significant difference in predistraction apnea-hypopnea index between the 2 groups (53.4 ± 42.1 versus 34.4 ± 18.9; P = 0.3). Patients with CP had significantly higher predistraction SpO2 saturation (94.5 ± 1.6% versus 91.0% ± 4.8%; P = 0.01), SpO2 nadir (74.5% ± 9.1% versus 63.6% ± 11.6%; P = 0.03) and lower percentage time spent below 90% SpO2 (6.0% ± 7.2% versus 23.6% ± 29.9%; P = 0.04). The rate of oronasal fistulas formation was 38%. The time between MDO and CP repair was shorter for patients with complications (250.8 ± 3.3 versus 370.8 ± 191.9 days; P = 0.08). Five patients experienced relapse of respiratory difficulties after CP repair. The presence of CP in nonsyndromic PRS patients decreases the severity of obstructive sleep apnea by oxygen parameters on PSG. Palatal fistulas and relapse of respiratory distress are common complications of CP repair following MDO. Delaying CP repair may help to decrease complication rates.

Analysis of middle ear function of the patients with cleft palate after palatoplasty

Objective: To investigate the middle ear function of the patients with cleft palate pre and post palatoplasty. Methods: 76 patients with cleft palate were investigated by clinical history and audiology examinations including electric otoscopy,tympanometry and click-ABR threshold. Results: The risk for middle ear function decreased with advancing age in the first 5 years. It was noticed that the otologic outcomes was related to the CP type. During long time follow-up, the frequency with the middle ear function disorder was always high within the CP patients but the proportion of the patients received tympanostomy tubes was low relatively. The prevalence of middle ear dysfunction did not differ with the time of cleft palate repair. Conclusion: The patients with cleft palate have middle ear function dysfunction in a long period of time,therefore a standard long-time follow-up system is necessary.

Race, Income, and the Timeliness of Cleft Palate Repair in the United States.

ObjectiveTo determine if differences exist in the timing of cleft palate repair with respect to sex, race, income, and geographical location within the United States.DesignRetrospective cross-sectional study using the Kids’ Inpatient Database (KID) from 1997 to 2009.SettingInpatient.PatientsChildren with cleft palate with or without cleft lip undergoing inpatient cleft palate repair.Main outcome measuresAge at the time of palatoplasty (in months) by sex, race, income quartile, and geographic location.ResultsA total of 7,218 children with cleft palate underwent repair at a mean age of 12.1 months (95% CI 12.0-12.3). Females underwent palatoplasty at an older age (13.6 months) than males (13.2 months), a difference of 0.47 months (SE: 0.19, p=0.015). White children underwent surgery at an earlier age (12.1 months) than Black (12.9 months) (difference: 0.73 months, SE: 0.37, p=0.045), Hispanic (12.7 months) (difference: 0.57 months, SE 0.25, p=0.025), and Asian children (15.7 months) (difference: 3.60 months, SE 0.49, p<0.0001). Asian children were also found to undergo repair later than Hispanic (difference 3.03 months, SE 0.51, p<0.0001) and Black (difference: 2.87 months, SE 0.59, p<0.0001) children. Patients born into the highest income brackets were repaired 0.75 months earlier than those in the lowest bracket (SE: 0.26, p=0.005). Patients in the Midwest underwent palatoplasty later (14.3 months) than in the Northeast (12.9 months) (difference: 1.36 months, SE: 0.31, p<0.0001), South (13.2 months) (difference: 1.05 months, SE: 0.36, p=0.004), and West (13.2 months) (difference: 1.09 months, SE: 0.32, p=0.0007).ConclusionsAfter controlling for confounding factors, our results suggest that in recent history, Black, Hispanic, and Asian children with cleft palate were repaired later than their White counterparts. In addition, children of affluent families were repaired earliest, and economically disadvantaged children were repaired later than their peers.

Speech and Audiology Outcomes After Single-Stage Versus Early 2-Stage Cleft Palate Repair.

The timing and management of patients with cleft palates have been controversial. Early soft palate closure at the time of cleft lip repair followed by hard palate closure at a second stage has been hypothesized to improve speech and audiology outcomes. This study compares cleft palate patients who have undergone single-stage versus 2-stage cleft palate repairs and the outcomes on speech and hearing. A retrospective chart review identified patients with diagnosis of cleft lip with complete cleft palate who underwent either single or 2-stage repair from 2006 to 2012. Data collected included age at each surgery, necessity of further speech surgery for velopharyngeal insufficiency, frequency of tympanostomy tube placement, presence of hearing loss, and speech assessment data graded per the validated Americleft speech scale. A total of 84 patients were identified and subdivided into groups of single-stage and 2-stage repair. The mean age at the time of single-stage palate repair was 13.3 months. For the 2-stage group, the mean ages were 4.2 and 11.8 months for the soft palate and hard palate repairs, respectively. Comparing the single-stage versus 2-stage palate repairs, there was no significant difference in all speech parameters including hypernasality, hyponasality, nasal air emission, articulation, expressive language, receptive language, speech intelligibility, and speech acceptability for both unilateral and bilateral cleft lip/palate patients. Two-stage repair was associated with increased number of tympanostomy tube placement compared with single-stage repair (relative risk, 1.74; P = 0.009), and the first set of tubes was performed at a statistically significantly younger age, 4.5 months in the 2-stage repair compared with 16.9 months in the single-stage (P = 0.012) with 87.5% performed with first stage of repair. However, there was no difference in the types, degrees of hearing loss, or the presence of at least mild conductive hearing loss at latest follow-up audiograms between the groups. There was no significant benefit with respect to speech or hearing outcomes between single-stage and 2-stage cleft palate repairs. This advocates for surgeon and family preference in the timing of cleft palate repair.

Corelation Of Parents’ Profiles Of Children With Late Cleft Repair In Surabaya Cleft Lip And Palate Centre (January 2015 – December 2017)

Background : Optimal time of Cleft palate repair is during the 10 to 12 month of age. In this time produce far natural results in terms of speech because it enabled the maturation of scar tissue postoperatively. The soft palate must function properly before the patient starts learning to talk, otherwise speech disorders such as persistent rhinolalia aperta might arise. In pediatric patients, the role of parents is very important on adherence to therapy.Methods: This is a cross-sectional study. The first study group was parents of patients who had surgical repair before two years old and the second group was the parents of patients who had repair after two years old. We compared age, monthly income, education level, number of children, and residential distance from Surabaya of the two groups.Results : The data of this study were obtained from the medical records of patients with cleft lip surgery at CLP Center Surabaya in 2015th – 2017th with total of 358 patients, 172 were female and 186 were male. 52 patients with delayed cleft palate surgery. Patients’ parents in both groups were mostly 31-40 years old, were high school graduated, has one child, earned less than 1.5 million rupiah a month, and lived less than 100 kms from Surabaya. From the statistical results, parent’s income has the strongest correlation with the patient’s age in cleft palate surgery (-2.7). A negative coefficient means that the less parent’s income, the more patient likely had delayed cleft palate surgery. While other factors found weak and very weak correlations.Conclusions: The results form patient's parents' interview, concluded that besides economic factors, the lack of information cleft palate treatment is the key factors that contributed to the delay of cleft palate repair. The education level does not affect the delay in cleft palate surgery, because even in high educated parents, sometimes they don’t understand the stages of cleft lip and palate treatment. This study emphasized the necessity to educate about the stages of surgery by primary care physicians, to minimize delays.

Timing of Cleft Palate Repair in Patients With and Without Robin Sequence.

This cohort study aimed to assess how age at repair affects outcomes in nonsyndromic patients with and without Robin Sequence using a national database of commercial healthcare claims. Children under 4 years of age undergoing palatoplasty were identified in the IBM MarketScan Commercial Database based on ICD-9-CM and CPT procedure codes. They were divided into Robin and non-Robin cleft palate groups, and further divided by time of initial cleft palate repair: Robin Sequence into 2 groups: age ≤10 months or >10 months; non-Robin cleft palate into 3 groups: age ≤10 months, >10-14 months, or >14 months age. Time to cleft palate revision within each group was assessed using Cox proportional-hazard models. A total of 261 patients with Robin Sequence and 3046 with non-Robin cleft palate were identified. In patients with Robin, later repair was associated with decreased risk of secondary procedures compared with early repair (Hazard Ratio (HR) 0.19, 95%CI 0.09-0.39, P < 0.001). In patients with non-Robin cleft palate, decreased risk of revision compared to early repair was associated both with repair at >10-14 months (adjusted HR 0.40, 95%CI 0.31-0.52, P < 0.001) and > 14 months (adjusted HR 0.71, 95%CI 0.57-0.88, P = 0.002). Adjusting for timing of repair, patients with non-Robin cleft palate were at significantly increased risk of secondary procedure if diagnosed with failure to thrive or anemia in the 30 days prior to palatoplasty. In patients with and without Robin sequence, cleft palate repair at or before 10 months of age was associated with higher risk for secondary procedures.

Optimal Timing of Palatoplasty in Infants With Comorbidities.

Ideal timing of palatoplasty continues to be debated given that early repair is thought to improve speech and hearing, whereas delayed repair is associated with less midface growth disruption. The purpose of this study is to elucidate optimal timing of palatoplasty in patients with comorbidities to mitigate perioperative complications. Retrospective cohort study. Hospitals participating in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Pediatric. Palatoplasty performed for children younger than the age of 2 years with comorbidities. Medical/surgical complications, reoperations, readmissions within 30 days postoperatively. Patients with comorbidities having Veau I or II cleft palate were associated with significantly decreased risk of adverse events when performing palatoplasty after 125 days of age (P < .001). Patients with comorbidities having Veau III cleft palate were associated with significantly decreased risk of adverse events when performing palatoplasty after 225 days of age (P = .010). Patients with comorbidities having Veau IV cleft palate were associated with significantly decreased risk of adverse events when performing palatoplasty after 250 days of age (P = .045). Infants with comorbidities having progressively increasing Veau classification demonstrate unique age-dependent perioperative thresholds, such that more extensive phenotypes are associated with better perioperative outcomes with older age at time of cleft palate repair.

Effect of Cleft Palate Repair Timing on Inpatient Complication Rate: Review of a National Database.

Timing of cleft palate repair is controversial. We aim to assess whether timing of cleft palate repair affects rates of inpatient complications, length of stay (LOS), and cost of stay. The Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Kids' Inpatient Database 2009 was queried for all admissions with a primary diagnosis of cleft palate during which cleft palate repair was performed as a primary procedure. Age 6 months or less was termed "early" repair, while age >6 months was termed "standard" repair. Patients age >3 years old, inpatient stays >30 days, and those stays in which a cleft lip repair was performed were excluded. Logistic regressions were used to model the probability of complications. Generalized linear models and a natural log link function were used for LOS and hospital charges, using SAS 9.4. We included 223 early and 1482 standard repair patients. Early repairs were exclusively performed in urban hospitals (P < 0.001). Eighty-nine patients experienced a total of 100 complications, including respiratory failure (N = 53), airway obstruction (N = 18), and oropharyngeal hemorrhage (N = 13). We found no significant difference in complication rate or total hospital charges in the 2 groups. The earlier repair group had a slightly longer LOS (P = 0.048). Over 85% of United States cleft palate repairs are performed after 6 months of age. All early repairs were performed at urban hospitals, and had slightly longer LOS. There was a 5.1% overall complication rate. Available data revealed no significant difference in complication rates between early repair and standard repair groups. 3b.

Does early cleft palate repair make difference? Comparative evaluation of the speech outcomes using objective parameters

The present study aims to evaluate the effect of timing of cleft palate repair on speech results by using objective assessment tools, under standardized variables. The patients included in the study were divided into three groups according to their age of palatal repair. Velopharyngeal closure was evaluated anatomically by nasopharyngoscopy, and the nasalance values were recorded and evaluated objectively by nasometer. Also, the rate of secondary surgical intervention and fistula rate was analyzed for each group. Nasalance values and nasopharyngoscopic evaluation results were statistically similar between group 1 and group 2. However, there was a statistically significant difference between these groups compared with group 3 in the nasalance value of all speech samples and terms of the velopharyngeal complete closure (p = 0.022). The rate of fistula and secondary surgical intervention was statistically similar between the groups (p = 0.080). In secondary surgical intervention rates, the difference between group 1 and group 3 was statistically significant (p = 0.016). The present study confirms the importance of the 18th month as a cut-of time in palatal repair for improved speech results by using objective assessment tools.

Velopharyngeal Closure and Resonance in Children Following Early Cleft Palate Repair: Outcome Measurement.

Introduction Timing of cleft palate repair and the method of speech outcome measurement in children with cleft lip and palate are much debated topics. The associated problems and quality of life in these children depend on the timing of the surgery. Aim The aim of this study was to investigate the velopharyngeal (VP) function and resonance parameters in children following early cleft palate repair. Method A total of 25 Kannada-speaking children with early repaired cleft palate were subjected to speech assessment and videofluoroscopic assessment. Perceptual speech parameters measured were severity of hypernasality and presence of nasal air emission. Videofluoroscopy was interpreted in terms of closure ratios to predict the severity of VP dysfunction. Results The analysis of videofluoroscopic images indicated that 48% of children had complete VP closure and 52% had perceptually normal resonance. A good correlation was found between the closure ratio and hypernasality. Conclusion Understanding the perceptual speech parameters and their structural correlates for outcome measurement will give better evidence for refining the existing treatment protocols. Data on a larger population are warranted for establishing predictors of optimum speech outcome.

The Effects of Age at Cleft Palate Repair on Middle Ear Function and Hearing Level.

To investigate the age effects of cleft palate repair on middle ear function and hearing level in patients who underwent cleft palate repair at different ages by audiologic examination. Medical histories were gathered in detail, and audiologic tests (ie, tympanometry and pure tone hearing threshold) were conducted in 126 patients after palatoplasty. The patients were divided into the following 4 groups according to their ages when they underwent cleft palate repair: group I (0-3 years, 73 patients), group II (4-7 years, 29 patients), group III (8-11 years, 16 patients), and group IV (12 years and older, 8 patients). The data regarding tympanograms, hearing levels, and the average hearing thresholds of each group were analyzed using chi-square tests. The prevalence of middle ear dysfunction and hearing loss in the patients who underwent palatoplasty before 3 years old (27.4% and 2.0% respectively) was significantly lower than that in patients who underwent palatopalsty at 12 years or older (75.0% and 43.7%, respectively). Linear-by-linear association revealed that the prevalences of middle ear dysfunction and hearing loss among the 4 groups were significantly different ( P < .05). The prevalence of middle ear dysfunction and hearing loss tended to increase with advancing age at the time of cleft palate repair. From an audiologist's perspective, palatoplasty at an early age is very beneficial in helping children with cleft palates acquire better middle ear function and hearing level.

Multidisciplinary Aspects of 104 Patients With Pierre Robin Sequence.

To describe Pierre Robin sequence patients with a cleft palate from a multidisciplinary perspective. A total of 104 individuals with Pierre Robin sequence and cleft palate, born between 1980 and 2010. Data were collected retrospectively and compared with large control groups. Of 104 patients, 19 (18.3%) were treated with a nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal tube, continuous positive airway pressure, and/or a tracheotomy. The mean weight percentile for newborns with Pierre Robin sequence was 30.9. It decreased to 29.9 at the time of cleft palate repair (mean age, 13.7 months) (P = .78). Of 87 patients, 30 (34.5%) developed normal speech after cleft palate repair. Of 93 nonsyndromic Pierre Robin sequence patients, 31 (33.3%) had or are having surgery for velopharyngeal insufficiency, a rate that is significantly higher when compared with a control group of cleft palate-only patients (19.4%; P = .004). Of 31 patients, 25 (80.6%) developed normal resonance after surgery for velopharyngeal insufficiency. There was no significant difference in the rate of syndromes between the Pierre Robin sequence patients and a control group of cleft palate patients without Pierre Robin sequence (P = .25). Seven of 39 boys (17.9%) with Pierre Robin sequence had a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. Even though the mean weight percentile for newborns with Pierre Robin sequence was low, the patients did not show a growth spurt during the first year of life. The high rate of velopharyngeal insufficiency after cleft palate repair in patients with Pierre Robin sequence needs further investigation. Also, the high rate of autism spectrum disorder among boys with Pierre Robin sequence prompts further investigation.

Fistula Incidence and Predictors of Fistula Occurrence after Cleft Palate Repair: Two-Stage Closure versus One-Stage Closure

To review the clinical outcomes of our cleft palate team in terms of fistula rate and to determine whether gender, syndrome, cleft type, age at repair, operating surgeon, type of cleft repair, and cleft width influence the risk of fistula occurrence. Cleft palate repair was done in one- or two-stages. A retrospective analysis was performed of medical records of 275 patients who underwent palate repair and who were born between 1988 and 1997. All consecutive cleft (lip and) palate patients (including syndromes) were incorporated. Multivariate analysis was performed to look for predictors of the formation of fistulas. One hundred fifty-four and 121 patients underwent two-stage and one-stage repair, respectively. The median duration of follow-up was 9 years. The overall incidence of the formation of a fistula was 21%, with a recurrence rate of 9% after fistula repair. Three independent predictors of fistulization were found: palate repair in two stages, younger age at the second stage of a two-stage repair (≤3.0 years), and greater cleft width (≥13 mm). A fistula occurred in 27% of two-stage repairs versus 14% of one-stage repairs. This study found a relatively high incidence of fistula formation after cleft palate repair. Although the study populations were not randomized, this study suggests that a two-stage closure has a higher rate of fistula formation when compared with a one-stage closure. This study demonstrates that cleft width at the time of cleft palate repair plays a crucial role in the development of fistulas.

Maxillary growth in patients with complete cleft lip and palate, operated on around 4–6 months of age

Background The controversy about timing of cleft palate repair has been focused on early closure for improved speech versus delayed repair for enhancing maxillary growth. Early palatal repair enhances phonological development decreasing the frequency of articulation disorders associated with velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI). In contrast, it has been described that early surgery adversely affects maxillary growth. Objective The purpose of this paper is to study maxillary growth in a group of cleft palate patients operated on around 4–6 months of age, and receiving further orthodontic treatment. Materials and methods A group of 20 cleft palate patients, who were subjected to early minimal incision palatopharyngoplasty around 4–6 months of age, were followed for a minimum of 10 years (range: 10–14 years). All patients received the same orthodontic management, starting at 4 years of age. None of the patients had orthognatic surgery or alveolar bone grafting. After orthodontic treatment, their cephalometric data were compared with a group of subjects without cleft lip and palate, matched by gender and who were within the age range of the cleft palate group. Results SNA, SNB, ANB, and WITS cephalometric measures were compared. A non-significant difference was found in all measurements between the two groups. Conclusion Early cleft palate repair enhances phonological development. Although maxillary growth is affected in cleft palate patients, appropriate orthodontic treatment can achieve normal maxillary growth as measured during adolescence.

The CHOP modification of Furlow's palatoplasty: in cleft plate surgery 30 patients follow-up

The goal of palatoplasty is to restore a mechanism for normal speech production without impairing normal facial growth. Surgery can potentially compensate the deficiency of maxillary bone, palatal mucosa and muscle. Veau and Kriens first described the abnormal position of levator muscle and need for an intra-velar veloplasty (IVVP) to release, reorient and reposition the muscle at the time of cleft palate repair. Leonard Furlow believed that the concept was correct. He described and sketched a modification of IVVP using a double opposing Z plasty in 1978.

Two-Flap Palatoplasty Over 2 Decades of Experience

Two-Flap Palatoplasty Over 2 Decades of Experience

P.297 Orthognathic surgery in patients affected with III class dento-skeletal malformations and edentulia

The controversy about timing of cleft palate repair has been focused on early closure for improved speech versus delayed repair for enhancing maxillary growth. Early palatal repair enhances phonological development decreasing the frequency of articulation disorders associated with velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI). In contrast, it has been described that early surgery adversely affects maxillary growth.The purpose of this paper is to study maxillary growth in a group of cleft palate patients operated on around 4–6 months of age, and receiving further orthodontic treatment.A group of 20 cleft palate patients, who were subjected to early minimal incision palatopharyngoplasty around 4–6 months of age, were followed for a minimum of 10 years (range: 10–14 years). All patients received the same orthodontic management, starting at 4 years of age. None of the patients had orthognatic surgery or alveolar bone grafting. After orthodontic treatment, their cephalometric data were compared with a group of subjects without cleft lip and palate, matched by gender and who were within the age range of the cleft palate group.SNA, SNB, ANB, and WITS cephalometric measures were compared. A non-significant difference was found in all measurements between the two groups.Early cleft palate repair enhances phonological development. Although maxillary growth is affected in cleft palate patients, appropriate orthodontic treatment can achieve normal maxillary growth as measured during adolescence.