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Background & objective: Cleft palate is a congenital anomaly of the palate of the infants, and it may or may not be associated with cleft lip. The only remedy is surgical repair under general anesthesia. Postoperative pain relief in cleft palate repair surgery is very important to keep the infant or child calm and pain-free. It can only be achieved by use of analgesic drugs. We compared ketodex - a combination of ketamine and dexmedetomidine, versus opioid based anesthesia in cleft palate surgery as regards postoperative respiratory depression, need for oxygenation, and the emergence agitation. Methodology: Fifty children, aged 6 months to 5 y, undergoing cleft palate surgery under general anesthesia, were randomly assigned to either ketodex group (Group KD) or opioids group (Group OP). Group KD received ketamine 1mg/kg loading dose followed by infusion @ 0.1 mg/kg/h, and dexmedetomidine loading dose 1 µg/kg followed by infusion @ 0.2 µg/kg/h], isoflurane anesthesia. Group OP received fentanyl in a loading dose of 2 µg/kg followed by infusion @ 0.5 µg/kg/h, followed by isoflurane anesthesia. Heart rate, mean blood pressure, emergence agitation, extubation time, FLACC score for pain, surgeons' satisfaction, and the adverse effects were noted. Results: Emergence agitation score was significantly lower in Group KD compared to Group OP. FLACC score showed insignificant difference between the two groups. There was no need for opioid administration in the PACU. Three patients in Group OP desaturated and needed oxygen supply. Incidence of vomiting was significantly higher in Group OP compared to Group KD (P = 0.022). Conclusion: Ketodex used in opioid free anesthesia for cleft palate repair surgery in children provides adequate pain relief without respiratory depression, and is a good alternative of routine opioid based general anesthesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cleft palate poses major therapeutic challenges among otorhinolaryngology, plastic/reconstructive, oral and maxillofacial surgeons practicing in resource-limited countries. There is a paucity of prospective studies regarding this subject in Tanzania and Bugando Medical Centre (BMC) in particular. This study aims to determine the clinical patterns, surgical outcomes and prognostic factors among patients undergoing cleft palate repair at BMC Methods: This was a cross-sectional study among patients undergoing cleft palate repair at BMC between January 2019 and June 2019. Results: A total of 44 patients (M; F ratio = 1.4: 1) were studied. The majority, 35(79.5%) were within 1 year of age at presentation. One (2.3%) patient had two associated congenital anomalies. Only 10 (22.7%) patients had isolated cleft palate and the remaining 34(77.3%) patients had associated cleft lip. Half of the patients, 22 (50.0%) had a bilateral cleft palate. The majority of patients, 35(79.5%) had complete cleft palates. All patients underwent cleft palate repair, the majority at the age of 9 months. A total of 21 (47.7%) developed postoperative complications, mainly bleeding (10; 47.6%) and palatal fistula (9; 42.8%). No death was recorded in this study. Out of 44 patients, 34 were treated successfully giving an overall success rate of 77.3%. The success rate was significantly influenced by nutrition status (p= 0.020) and the width of the cleft (p=0.033). Conclusion: This study showed that the majority of patients with cleft palate presented to BMC within 1 year of life. More than three-quarters of patients were treated successfully. Malnutrition and cleft width > 10 mm were the major prognostic factors affecting the treatment success. Appropriate measures focusing on these factors are vital in order to deliver optimal care for these patients in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to review current literature regarding the speech outcome of different techniques of surgical treatment of VPD in cleft patients, in an attempt to reach a treatment algorithm. A systematic review was done, by searching Pubmed, Scopus, and Web of Science electronic databases, following the PRISMA guidelines. Articles reporting speech assessment results of secondary VPI surgeries on non-syndromic patients with CP. Surgical techniques were categorised into two groups; palatal and pharyngeal surgeries. Raw data were extracted to compare speech outcome and complication of each technique, with special emphasis on the factors affecting the patients' selection for each technique. Our results showed comparable success and complication rates among these techniques. However, the factors governing selection of each technique were identified and taken into consideration to reach a preliminary algorithm. A preliminary treatment algorithm is described based on the results of our review; the most important factors affecting the technique choice are: VP gap size, LVP position, palatal mobility, palatal scarring, VP closure pattern, and age of the patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients with orofacial clefts are more likely to develop oral fungal diseases due to anatomo-physiological changes and surgical rehabilitation treatment. This case-series study evaluated the genetic diversity and dynamics of oral colonization and spread of C. albicans and C. tropicalis in four patients with orofacial clefts, from the time of hospital admission, perioperative and outpatient follow-up, with specialized physician. Candida biotypes previously identified by CHROMagar Candida and PCR methods were studied by MALDI-TOF MS assays and clustering analyses. Possible correlations with pathogenicity characteristics were observed, including production of hydrolytic exoenzymes and the antifungal sensitivity profiles. Amphotericin B-sensitive and fluconazole-resistant (low frequency) C. tropicalis and C. albicans, including clinically compatible MIC of nystatin, were found in the oral cavity of these patients. Clusters of isolates revealed phenomena of (i) elimination in the operative phase, (ii) maintenance or (iii) acquisition of oral C. tropicalis in the perioperative period and specialized outpatient and medical follow-up. For C. albicans, these phenomena included (i) elimination in the operative phase, (ii) acquisition in the operative phase and propagation from the hospital environment, and (iii) maintenance during hospitalization and operative phase. Amphotericin B and nystatin were shown to be effective in cases of clinical treatment and/or prophylaxis, especially considering the pre-existence of fluconazole-resistant strains. This study confirmed the phenomena of septic maintenance, septic neocolonization and septic elimination involving the opportunistic pathogens. MALDI-TOF MS associated with clustering analysis may assist the monitoring of clinical isolates or groups of epidemiologically important microbial strains in the hospital setting., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

An encouraging outcome was described for the use of modified Furlow small double-opposing Z-plasty (sDOZ) using the medial incision (MIsDOZ) approach in repair of Veau type I cleft palate. This retrospective study assessed early results of using extended indication criterion of MIsDOZ for the management of consecutive non-syndromic patients with Veau II cleft palate treated by a single surgeon. Bardach two-flap plus sDOZ (two-flap approach) or medial incision approach with a tension-driven stepwise application of lateral palatal incisions (soft palate only, von Langenbeck type, or two-flap type) were applied. Surgical (age, cleft width, operative time, hospital stay, and complication)- and auditory-perceptual assessment-related data were collected. Two-flap approach (n = 21) demonstrated a significantly (p < 0.001) increased operative time (132.8 ± 12.2 versus 114.8 ± 19.9 min, respectively) and higher use of lateral incisions (100% versus 44.4%) than medial incision approach (n = 27), with no significant (p > 0.05) difference for age at surgery (13.0 ± 6.1 versus 13.6 ± 5.8 months), cleft width (8.5 ± 4.1 versus 8.7 ± 3.8 mm), hospital stay (1.0 ± 0 versus 1.0 ± 0 day), and complication (0% versus 0%) and hypernasality (9.5% versus 7.4%) rates. In conclusion, the medial incision approach for Veau II cleft repair resulted in reduced need for lateral palatal incision with no increase of complication or hypernasality rates., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this article., (Copyright © 2024 European Association for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objective: This retrospective study investigated the influence of palatal fistula (PF) formation after double opposing Z-plasty (DOZ) on speech outcomes in patients with cleft palate (CP), focusing on cleft width and palatal length as predictors of velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI)., Methods: This study included 1117 patients with CP (579 males, 538 females) who underwent DOZ, performed by a single surgeon, between 1988 and 2017. Demographic characteristics, cleft dimensions, history of PF formation, and speech outcomes were investigated. Speech evaluations were performed at a minimum age of five to assess nasal emission, hypernasality, compensatory articulation, intelligibility, necessity for VPI surgery, and speech therapy. Logistic regression analysis was performed., Results: Speech assessments were conducted at the median age of five (interquartile range [IQR], 5-6 years). Overall, 96.5% of patients achieved 'socially acceptable speech' after DOZ. Patients with PF history showed greater cleft width and experienced higher rates of hypernasality, nasal emission, and VPI on videofluoroscopy (VFS) compared to those without PF history (mean, 11.4 mm vs. 7.1 mm; 28.4% vs. 23.6%; 34.8% vs. 14.9%, 38.5% vs. 14.0%, 40.6% vs. 28.3%, respectively; all p < 0.0001). Cleft width was significantly associated with VPI-related speech outcomes in the multivariate logistic regression analysis, affecting both perceptual and VFS-measured outcomes., Conclusions: A wider CP gap significantly increased the risk of VPI-related speech difficulties after DOZ. Cleft width is a more critical predictor of adverse speech outcomes than the presence of small-to-medium-sized PFs. Patients with a history of PF and wider cleft gaps require targeted interventions and intensified follow-up to effectively manage and improve speech outcomes., (Copyright © 2024 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Study Objectives: Severe respiratory distress of neonates with Robin sequence is traditionally managed by surgery. Stanford orthodontic airway plate treatment (SOAP) is a nonsurgical option. The study aimed to determine whether SOAP can improve polysomnography parameters of neonates with Robin sequence., Methods: Polysomnography of neonates with Robin sequence treated with SOAP at a single hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Patients without polysomnography at all 4 time points (pre, start of, mid, and posttreatment) were excluded. Data were analyzed using a linear mixed effects model., Results: Sixteen patients were included. All patients had cleft palate. The median age (minimum, maximum) at the start of treatment was 1.1 months (0.3, 5.1) with the treatment duration of 4.5 months (3.5, 6.0). The mean obstructive apnea-hypopnea index (95% confidence interval) decreased from 39.3 events/h (32.9, 45.7) to 12.2 events/h (6.7, 17.7) ( P < .001), obstructive apnea index decreased from 14.1 (11.2, 17.0) events/h to 1.0 (-1.5, 3.5) events/h ( P < .001), and oxygen nadir increased from 79.9% (77.4, 82.5) to 88.2% (85.5, 90.8) ( P < .001) between pre and start of treatment. Respiratory improvements were sustained during and after the treatment. All patients avoided mandibular distraction osteogenesis or tracheostomy following SOAP., Conclusions: As being a rare diagnosis, the number of participants was, as expected, low. However, the current study shows that SOAP can improve polysomnography parameters, demonstrating its potential utility before surgical interventions for neonates with Robin sequence and cleft palate experiencing severe respiratory distress., Citation: Choo H, Sidell DR, Kim J-W, Ahn H-W, Day HS, Sullivan SS. Nonsurgical improvement of severe upper airway obstruction in infants with Robin sequence and cleft palate using Stanford orthodontic airway plate treatment. J Clin Sleep Med . 2024;20(11):1807-1817., (© 2024 American Academy of Sleep Medicine.)

Objective: To determine associations of demographic, morphologic, and treatment protocol parameters with quality of life (QoL), appearance/speech satisfaction, and psychological adjustment., Design: Observational study utilizing retrospective report of protocol variables and current outcome variables., Setting: Six North American cleft treatment clinics., Participants: Children, ages 8.0-10.99 years, with Cleft Lip ± Alveolus, Cleft Palate, Cleft Lip and Palate, and parents (N = 284)., Outcome Measures: Pediatric QoL Inventory (PedsQL): Parent, Child, Family Impact Module (FIM); Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS); Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL); CLEFT-Q., Results: Outcome scores were average with few differences by cleft type. Multiple regression analyses yielded significant associations ( Ps <  .05) between socioeconomic status, race, and age at assessment and parent- and self-reported measures. Females had higher PROMIS Depression (β=.20) but lower CBCL Affective (β = -.16) and PROMIS Stigma scores (β= -.24). Incomplete cleft lip was associated with lower PROMIS Depression, and more positive ratings of CLEFT-Q: Nose, Nostril, Lip Scar; CBCL Competence scores, (βs = -.17 to .17). Younger Age at Lip Closure was associated with higher CBCL School Competence (β= -.18). Younger Age at Palate Closure was associated with higher Child PedsQL Total, Physical, Psychosocial QoL, and better CLEFT-Q Speech Function (βs = -.18 to -.15). Furlow Palatoplasty was associated with more CBCL Externalizing Problems (β = .17) higher CBCL Activities (β = .16). For all diagnoses, fewer Total Cleft-Related Surgeries was associated with lower PROMIS Stigma and higher CBCL Total Competence and Activities (βs = -.16 to .15)., Conclusions: Demographic characteristics, lip morphology, and treatment variables are related to later psychological functioning., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Background: The CLEFT-Q is a validated instrument designed to elicit patient-reported outcomes among people affected by cleft lip and/or palate. However, it has not been reported how use of CLEFT-Q data alters routine cleft care. This study analyzed the impact of CLEFT-Q data integration on patient care and clinical decision-making., Methods: Patients were sequentially, prospectively evaluated during scheduled cleft team visits. The CLEFT-Q was completed before the clinic encounter, but results were initially masked from the surgeon and family. In the encounter, a study observer characterized patients' verbalized attitudes across 7 specific domains of appearance and function, and the provisional assessment and plan was noted. CLEFT-Q data were then introduced into the clinical encounter and discussed. Discordance between patients' initially verbalized attitudes and their self-reported scores on the CLEFT-Q was documented along with any resultant modifications to their care plan., Results: Seventy patient visits were observed; the mean patient age was 12.7 years (range, 8 to 19 years). Forty-one patients (59%) had cleft lip and palate/alveolus and 29 (41%) had isolated cleft palate. Discordance was observed in 36% of visits and in 9.2% of specific domains assessed. Highest discordance rates were observed in domains of psychosocial function (12.5%), speech function/distress (11.6%), and lips/lip scar appearance (11.6%). No age group or sex was associated with increased discordance. Integration of CLEFT-Q results altered the assessment and plan in 11 visits (16%)., Conclusion: The CLEFT-Q provides clinically relevant insight into patient perspectives that are not captured by routine interview and examination alone, and regularly leads to a change in the management plan., (Copyright © 2023 by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.)

To compare lower lip changes after Le Fort I advancement surgery in patients with a cleft., Single institution, retrospective review., Academic tertiary referral hospital., Skeletally mature patients with a cleft who underwent one-piece Le Fort I advancement surgery who had a lateral cephalogram or cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scan preoperatively and at least 6 months postoperatively. Patients who underwent concomitant mandibular surgery or genioplasty were excluded. 64 patients were included: 45 male and 19 female, 25 with BCLP and 39 with UCLP. The mean age at surgery was 18.4 years., Single jaw one-piece Le Fort I advancement surgery., Standard lateral cephalometric landmarks of the bony skeleton and soft tissue were compared before and after Le Fort I advancement. Pearson correlation coefficients (r) were calculated to measure the correlation between lower lip position and other soft and hard tissue changes., After comparable maxillary advancements [BCLP: 7.2 mm (95% CI: 6.2-8.3 mm), UCLP: 6.4 mm (95% CI: 5.7-7.0 mm)] the horizontal upper-to-lower lip discrepancy significantly improved in both groups. The lower lip became thinner and more posteriorly positioned. Changes in lower lip position correlated strongly with mandibular bony landmarks and moderately with upper lip position, but poorly with maxillary landmarks., Le Fort I advancement results in posterior displacement of the lower lip and better lip competence, thereby improving facial harmony. This lower lip change is not predictable by degree of maxillary advancement, and does not differ in patients with BCLP vs. UCLP., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

To assess the effect of secondary alveolar bone grafting (SABG) on maxillary growth in patients with unilateral cleft lip or palate (UCL/P)., Systematic review and Meta-analysis., Pubmed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science and manual search was performed to assess the maxillary growth following SABG in UCL/P patients., Non-syndromic patients with UCL/P., Comparison of maxillary growth between patients with UCL/P who underwent SABG and UCL/P patients who had not undergone SABG or non-cleft control., 39 of the identified 233 articles were assessed for inclusion and exclusion criteria after duplicate removal and title and abstract reading. 7 articles (1 prospective, and 6 retrospective studies) were included in the qualitative analysis and 2 articles were subjected to quantitative analysis. Four studies had a low risk of bias and three studies had a moderate risk of bias. Meta-analysis revealed a significant reduction of SNA and no significant difference in ANB in the SABG group compared to the non-cleft control group(I 2  = 0%). There was no significant difference in ANB between SABG and non-cleft control; however, results showed high heterogeneity(I 2  = 83%). Meta-analysis of SNA and ANB showed no significant difference between SABG and the cleft control group; however, there was high heterogeneity., The studies showed a low to moderate risk of bias. SABG causes inhibition of maxillary growth in patients with cleft lip or palate when compared to patients with non-cleft control. Due to high heterogeneity, comparison to cleft control showed insufficient evidence., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Background: Various surgical methods have been developed for treating velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI); however, the choice of surgical treatment is controversial. The pharyngeal flap, which is commonly used, has a high success rate but frequently leads to airway complications. Furlow double-opposing Z-plasty (DOZ) does not deform the velopharyngeal port; therefore, it is expected to show good speech outcomes while reducing airway complications if an appropriate indication is noted. This study aimed to identify indications for DOZ in cases of VPI after palatoplasty., Methods: Nonsyndromic patients who underwent palatoplasty were prospectively followed from 2008 to 2016, and those diagnosed with VPI were treated with DOZ. Preoperative facial computed tomography (CT) and postoperative nasometric assessment results were examined. Surgical indication was set based on a 30% threshold value for postoperative nasalance., Results: Comparing the preoperative CT measurements of both groups, high need ratio (NR), wide width of the nasopharynx (WNP), and long velopharyngeal depth (VPD) were contributing factors to VPI occurrence ( P < 0.05). Analyzing preoperative CT and postoperative speech evaluation results, a linear relationship was observed between preoperative NR, WNP, and VPD and postoperative nasalance. In cases where NR was less than 0.81, WNP was less than 27.64 mm, and VPD was less than 20.34 mm, DOZ showed favorable outcomes ( P < 0.05)., Conclusions: Preoperative CT evaluation should be performed in patients with VPI. When WNP, VPD, and NR values are small, DOZ can achieve sufficient correction of VPI and reduce the risk of airway complications. In cases where the indication range is exceeded, the pharyngeal flap is considered., Clinical Question/level of Evidence: Risk, III., (Copyright © 2023 by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.)

Objective: To analyse the maxillary arch dimensions of children aged 9 and 12 with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) who received orthodontic treatment and secondary alveolar bone grafting., Design: This retrospective cohort study was performed on 30 patients with UCLP., Setting: All patients were treated at the Cleft Lip and Palate Centre, which is part of the University Medical Centre Amsterdam and Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam, the Netherlands., Patients/participants: Children with non-syndromic UCLP who received pre- and postsurgical orthodontics combined with secondary alveolar bone grafting between the ages of 9 and 12 years were included., Main Outcome Measures: Maxillary arch dimensions were assessed on 60 digitised dental casts with measurements of the intermolar widths, interpremolar widths, arch perimeters, arch lengths, arch widths, and palatal depths., Results: The results of a paired-samples t -test revealed a statistically significant increase ( P  < .05) in intermolar width 1, intermolar width 3, interpremolar width 1, arch perimeter, and arch width between the ages of 9 (T0) and 12 (T1). Intermolar width 2 and the palatal depth decreased statistically significantly between T0 and T1., Conclusions: Analysis of maxillary arch dimensions of children with UCLP indicates significant changes between 9 and 12 years of age. This suggests that orthodontic treatment and secondary alveolar bone grafting can be effective in improving maxillary arch dimensions. However, there is a need for collaborative research and data collection in order to provide sensible and evidence-based care to patients with cleft lip and palate., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Background: This study updates the authors' institutional experience with modified Furlow palatoplasty, evaluating speech outcomes and incidence of secondary speech surgery throughout development and at skeletal maturity., Methods: Nonsyndromic patients undergoing primary modified Furlow palatoplasty between 1985 and 2005 with postoperative speech evaluations were reviewed retrospectively. Secondary speech surgery and Pittsburgh Weighted Speech Scale (PWSS) scores before secondary speech or orthognathic operations were assessed in the groups aged 5 to 7 years, 8 to 11 years, 12 to 14 years, and older than 15 years and analyzed by Veau cleft type., Results: A total of 551 patients with 895 total speech assessments were analyzed. Of 364 patients followed up to age 15 years or older, 19.8% underwent secondary speech surgery. Speech assessment of patients aged 15 years or older without prior secondary speech surgery showed competent velopharyngeal mechanisms in 77% of patients. PWSS nasal emission scores were worse in the 5- to 7-year age range ( P = 0.02), whereas resonance scores remained stable throughout development ( P = 0.2). Patients with Veau type I or II clefts had worse overall PWSS classifications in the groups aged 5 to 7 years and 8 to 11 years ( P = 0.01 and P = 0.03), with greater odds of secondary speech surgery relative to those with Veau type III (OR, 2.9; P < 0.001) or IV clefts (OR, 3.6; P = 0.001)., Conclusions: Most patients undergoing primary modified Furlow palatoplasty do not require secondary speech surgery and achieve socially acceptable speech at skeletal maturity. However, Veau type I and II clefts are associated with increased risk for early velopharyngeal dysfunction and secondary speech surgery. The incidence of secondary speech surgery was 19.8%, an increase from our previously reported rate of 8%., Clinical Question/level of Evidence: Therapeutic, III., (Copyright © 2023 by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.)

Objective: Investigate associations between socioeconomic indicators of healthcare access with family compliance with cleft-related otologic and audiologic care within an interdisciplinary model., Design: Retrospective case series., Subjects and Setting: Children born 2005-2015 who presented to the Cleft-Craniofacial Clinic (CCC) at a quaternary care children's hospital., Interventions: Associations between main outcome measures and Area Deprivation Index (ADI), median household income for zip code, distance from hospital, and insurance status were evaluated., Main Outcome Measures: Cleft types, ages at presentation to outpatient clinic (cleft, otolaryngology, and audiology), and ages at procedures (first tympanostomy tube insertion (TTI), lip repair, and palatoplasty) were measured., Results: Most patients were male (147/230, 64%) with cleft lip and palate (157/230, 68%). Median age at first cleft, otolaryngology, and audiology visits were 7 days, 86 days, and 5.9 months, respectively. Private insurance predicted lower no-show rates (p = .04). Age at first CCC visit was younger for patients with private insurance (p = .04) and older for those who lived further from the hospital (p = .002). Age at lip repair was positively correlated with national ADI (p = .03). However, no socioeconomic status (SES) proxy or proximity to hospital was associated with delays in first otolaryngology or audiology examination or TTI., Conclusion: Once children become established within an interdisciplinary CCC, SES appears to bear little influence on cleft-related otologic and audiologic care. Future efforts should aim to elucidate which aspects of the interdisciplinary model maximize multisystem cleft care coordination and increase access for higher risk populations., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Objectives: This study evaluated maxillary growth and dental arch relationships at 5 and 10 years of age in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) who underwent early cleft lip and palate surgery., Methods: 28 patients with UCLP who underwent cleft lip surgery in neonatal age and cleft palate surgery at average age of 7 months without orthodontic treatment (intervention group) were measured for intercanine and intermolar distances and for dental arch length. These measurements were compared with those of 30 healthy participants in a control group. Dental arch relationships in the intervention group were evaluated by 5-YO index at 5 years and the GOSLON Yardstick score at 10 years of patients' age., Results: Patients in the intervention group had significantly shorter mean intercanine distance and arch length than control patients at both 5 and 10 years of age (p&lt;.001 for all). There were no significant differences in intermolar distance at both 5 (p = .945) and 10 years (p = .105) of patients' age. The average 5YO index increased from 2.46 to an average GOSLON 10-year score of 2.89 in intervention group., Conclusion: Intercanine distance and dental arch length of patients with UCLP are significantly reduced at 5 and 10 years after early cleft lip and palate surgeries compared to the healthy population. Dental arch relationships at 5 and 10 years of patients with UCLP show comparable outcomes to those reported by other cleft centers., Clinical Significance: This study evaluates maxillary growth in UCLP patients 5 and 10 years of age who underwent early primary lip and palate surgery., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

The goal of this study was to digitally evaluate the development of maxillary dental arches of children with unilateral cleft lip and palate treated with one- and two-stage palatal closure. One hundred and sixty-eight digitized dental models of cheiloplasty and one-stage palatoplasty (G1) and cheiloplasty and two-stage palatoplasty (G2) were evaluated at preoperative time 1 (T1), preoperative time 2 (T2), and postoperative (T3). The following surface distances were evaluated: across surface distance; cleft widths anterior (P-P') and posterior (U-U') cleft widths, intercanine width (C-C'), and intertuberosity width (T-T'); smallest (P'-T') and largest (P-T) segment lengths; and smallest (C'-D') and largest (C-D) segment cleft depths. In G1, P-P', U-U', and C-C' reduced at T2, unlike P'-T' (P<0.05). P-T and C'-D' distances increased at T3 (P<0.05), while C-D increased at all stages (P<0.001). In G2, U-U' and C-C' reduced at T2 (P<0.05), while P'-T', P-T, C'-D', and C-D' increased at T3 (P<0.001). In an intergroup analysis of growth rate, G2 showed higher growth percentages compared to G1, in which C'-D' was significant (P=0.038). Furthermore, C'-D' presented a coefficient of determination of 0.076 (P=0.039). In conclusion, dental arch development is influenced by the rehabilitation protocol. However, in the sample evaluated, the comparison suggested that individuals whose palate was operated on in two stages had the most favorable palatal growth.

Background: Bone denudation after conventional relaxing incisions could be a critical factor in inhibiting maxillofacial growth. To address this, alternative relaxing incisions were designed. Thus, this study aimed to compare the effectiveness of palatal relaxing incisions versus nasopharyngeal relaxing incisions in enhancing postoperative outcomes., Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted, involving a total of 120 patients divided into three groups: 40 patients have received modified Furlow palatoplasty with nasopharyngeal relaxing incisions (M.F + N.P.I palatoplasty), and 40 patients who received modified Furlow palatoplasty with palatal relaxing incisions (M.F + P.R.I palatoplasty). The other 40 patients received original Furlow palatoplasty without relaxing incisions (F palatoplasty). Data collected included gender, cleft type, cleft width, age at repair, velopharyngeal function, presence of palatal fistula, and follow-up. The chi-square test compared frequencies of sex, cleft type, postoperative fistula, and velopharyngeal outcomes across groups. The Mann-Whitney and independent t-tests compared mean values, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05., Results: The mean age at repair was similar across groups, with follow-up periods ranging from 5 to 11 years. No significant differences were found among the M.F + N.P.I and M.F + P.L.I groups regarding gender, cleft type, cleft width, and age at repair. However, the F group had a significantly narrowest cleft width compared to the other groups. Postoperative outcomes showed no significant differences in velopharyngeal function among the three groups, but the F group had a significantly higher rate of palatal fistula (32.5%) compared to the M.F + P.L.I (10%) and M.F + N.P.I (7.5%) groups. A comparison of the two modified Furlow techniques revealed no significant differences in velopharyngeal closure rates or the incidence of velopharyngeal insufficiency and persistent palatal fistula across different Veau classifications., Conclusions: While both incisions showed similar impacts on palatoplasty outcomes, palatal relaxing incisions may expose more bone and pose a higher risk of secondary healing issues. Therefore, nasopharyngeal relaxing incisions are recommended as an effective and potentially preferable technique in palatoplasty whenever feasible., Clinical Relevance: The current study suggests that, whenever feasible, nasopharyngeal relaxing incisions are advised as an effective and potentially superior technique in palatoplasty., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Orthognathic surgery in patients with lip and palate clefts is challenging owing to scar tissue from primary repairs and severe deformities. In this study, we evaluated the stability of Le Fort I osteotomy with intraoral vertical ramus osteotomy (IVRO) in patients with cleft lip and palate using 3-dimensional (3D) analysis. This retrospective study comprised 14 cleft lip and palate patients (3 females, 11 males; the average age at surgery: 23.8 y) who underwent bimaxillary orthognathic surgery involving Lefort I osteotomy and IVRO. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images were obtained at preoperative (T0), 1-month postoperative (T1), and 1-year follow-up (T2) periods. The 3D analysis assessed the transitions and rotations of the maxilla and mandible using a virtual triangle. The maxilla showed stability in all directions at the 1-year follow-up with minimal relapse. The distal segment of the mandible exhibited clinically acceptable anterior (1.15 mm relapse) movements and pitch rotation (2.88° counterclockwise relapse) during the first year postoperatively. The proximal mandibular segment underwent anterior-inferior transition (1.21 and 2.01 mm, respectively) and lateral-outward rotation (4.90° and 7.51°, respectively) postsurgery, remaining unchanged 1 year postoperation. Le Fort I osteotomy with IVRO provides skeletal stability in patients with cleft lips and palates. This study demonstrated a minimal maxillary relapse and clinically acceptable movements in the distal mandibular segment during the first postoperative year. The proximal mandibular segment moved anteriorly and inferiorly, rotated laterally and outward after surgery, and remained unchanged at the 1-year follow-up., Competing Interests: The authors report no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 by Mutaz B. Habal, MD.)

This study aimed to assess and quantify the morphologic characteristics of the lips and the lower third of the face in cleft and noncleft patients, utilizing three-dimensional (3D) stereophotogrammetry. Sixty patients were included in the study, comprising 30 unilateral cleft lip and palate patients (G1, 24 female, 6 male; aged 20 to 60 y, mean age 44.0±12.0 y) and 30 noncleft patients (G2, 23 female, 7 male; aged 20 to 59 y, mean age 43.5±12.0 y). Anthropometric landmarks were identified on the facial surface. Three-dimensional stereophotogrammetry was employed to capture images. Statistical analysis was conducted to compare the groups, with a significance level set at 0.05. The comparative analysis revealed statistically significant differences in 5 linear and 6 angular measurements. Linear measurements such as philtrum width, upper and lower cutaneous lip height, mandibular ramus length, and midfacial depth exhibited significant differences between cleft and noncleft patients. Similarly, angular measurements, including upper lip angle, Cupid's bow angle, lower/medium face convexity, lip seal, nasolabial angle, and left gonial angle, displayed statistically significant disparities. These findings underscore the ongoing surgical challenges in the comprehensive rehabilitation of patients with clefts, highlighting the critical need for continued advancements in treatment strategies., (Copyright © 2024 by Mutaz B. Habal, MD.)

Conventional gingivoperiosteoplasty (GPP) performed during infancy adversely affects maxillary development. However, the outcomes of this procedure in early childhood have rarely been reported. Therefore, we examined the postoperative outcomes of GPP conducted in patients aged 1.5 years with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP). This study included 87 non-syndromic patients with complete UCLP who had undergone early two-stage palatoplasty during the 1999-2004 period. The protocol comprised soft palate plasty at 1 year of age and hard palate closure at 1.5 years of age. In the GPP group (n = 34), we introduced the GPP procedure during hard palate closure; in the non-GPP group (n = 53), the labial side of the alveolar cleft remained intact. We examined computed tomography images taken at 8 years of age to observe bone formation at the alveolar cleft site. We also conducted cephalometric analysis to examine maxillary development at 12 years of age. Bone bridges at the alveolar cleft site were observed in 92% and 5.6% of the GPP and non-GPP groups, respectively. Moreover, 56% of the GPP group did not require secondary alveolar bone grafting (sABG), whereas all the patients in the non-GPP group underwent sABG. No statistically significant differences were noted in the maxillary anteroposterior length (GPP: 45.5 ± 3.7 mm, non-GPP: 45.9 ± 3.5 mm, p = 0.67) and sella-nasion-point A angle (GPP: 75.6 ± 4.5°, non-GPP: 73.8 ± 12.6°, p = 0.49). This study's findings suggest that GPP performed at 1.5 years of age minimises the necessity of sABG and does not exert a negative influence on maxillofacial development., (Copyright © 2024 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Orofacial clefts are the most common congenital craniofacial anomalies worldwide, and if not managed in a timely manner, can lead to significant complications. We aim to examine surgical timing at one of the few cleft care centers in the North region of Brazil since its foundation in 2016. This retrospective, descriptive study analyzed medical records from 2016 to 2023. We calculated the age at surgery for each time period and each primary surgery performed. We also evaluated the number of procedures performed outside the recommended age. Of the 1439 procedures performed from 2016 to 2023, 713 procedures met our inclusion criteria. Among these, 66.67% (n=188) of primary cheiloplasties, 67.80% (n=40) of primary lip adhesions, and 54.57% (n=203) of palatoplasties were performed outside the recommended time frame. Of the surgeries performed, 45.16% (n=322) were between 2016 and 2019, while 54.84% (n=391) were from 2020 to 2023. Considering procedures performed within the ideal recommended age groups, only 32.92% (n=106) were done between 2016 and 2019, in contrast to 45.01% (n=176) between 2020 and 2023. In conclusion, since the inception of the specialized center, there has been an increase in surgical volume and an improvement in their timing. However, many surgeries are still being conducted outside the recommended time frame., Competing Interests: The authors report no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 by Mutaz B. Habal, MD.)

Background: Standardization of surgical protocols is an evolving issue owing to the low incidence of rare craniofacial clefts. In this article, we present our surgical management technique for repair of rare craniofacial clefts and evaluate the postoperative results., Methods: This study was conducted from 2013 to 2022 and included patients who presented with craniofacial clefts. The results were assessed based on parents' satisfaction and objective evaluations by two independent observers., Results: A total of 3679 patients presented with cleft anomalies; of these, 61 patients with 89 rare craniofacial clefts were observed with a prevalence of 2.42/100. The male to female ratio was 1:1.35. Craniofacial cleft "4" and "5" were the most common, with 17 (19.1%) and 16 (17.98%) patients, respectively. Multiple craniofacial clefts were observed in 37.7% of the patients. Associated craniofacial anomalies were found in 39.34% of the patients. The parents of 71.6% of the patients were very satisfied with the results. Based on the scores of two independent observers, 70.27% of the patients showed good results., Conclusion: The rare nature of craniofacial clefts and involvement of various structures make the standardization of surgical procedures very challenging. Our experience with these clefts will help new surgeons both in didactics and in technical aspects of patient management., Key Points: 1. We share our experience with rare craniofacial clefts. 2. Each cleft presents with its own unique reconstructive challenges. The literature describes many techniques for each type of cleft, all with multiple permutations. We present a simplified technique that has worked for us over the years for all Tessier clefts., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest None., (Copyright © 2024 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Study Objective: The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of ropivacaine in providing postoperative analgesia for children undergoing cleft palate repair., Methods: A double-blinded, randomized controlled trial was conducted on sixty-four children scheduled for cleft palate repair. The patients received either local infiltration with 1% lidocaine or 0.2% ropivacaine before incision. The primary outcome was the postoperative average pain score, and secondary outcomes included pain scores at various time points, consumption of flurbiprofen and hydromorphone, effectiveness of nurse-controlled analgesia pump, and incidence of bradycardia, vomiting, and respiratory depression., Main Results: The results showed that the postoperative average pain score was significantly lower in the ropivacaine group compared to the lidocaine group (1.27±0.28 vs. 1.75±0.29, P<0.001). Pain scores at multiple postoperative time points were also lower in the ropivac:aine group. Additionally, consumption of flurbiprofen and hydromorphone was lower, and ineffective compressions of the nurse-controlled analgesia pump were reduced in the ropivacaine group. The incidence of vomiting, bradycardia, and respiratory depression did not show significant differences between the two groups., Conclusion: Local infiltration with ropivacaine effectively provided postoperative analgesia for children undergoing cleft palate repair without major side effects. It was found to be superior to lidocaine in reducing the need for additional rescue analgesia., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.)

Purpose: This preliminary study aimed to assess the efficacy of zygomatic buttress bone grafting for nasal floor augmentation in patients with a unilateral alveolar cleft who were referred after the optimal timetable for this surgery had elapsed., Case Series: Five patients, aged 12-18 years, with unilateral alveolar clefts were treated at Qaem Hospital, Mashhad, Iran. Initially, a mucous layer was established on the side of the cleft nose, followed by forming a bony bridge between the defect's sides through a bone graft derived from the zygomatic buttress and xenograft bone powder. Subsequently, the grafted region was covered with an absorbable collagen membrane, and the oral-side flap was sealed. Post-operative follow-ups occurred at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months, and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) was performed 6 months post-treatment. Discrepancy between the anterior edge height of the pyriform aperture on the healthy and cleft sides post-grafting was assessed. The average disparity between the height of the anterior edge of the pyriform aperture on the healthy side and the peak height achieved post-grafting on the cleft side was 1.90 ± 2.82 mm., Conclusion: Within the limitations of the study, it seems that zygomatic buttress is applicable for late unilateral alveolar bone grafting as an intraoral source, and is helpful in symmetric bony nasal floor reconstruction, with a good success rate., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no potential conflicts of interest concerning the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article., (Copyright © 2024 European Association for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Traditional surgical approaches excluded septoplasty at primary cleft lip reconstruction due to concerns about restricted nasal and midfacial growth. Modern opinion in the treatment of cleft lip has increasingly employed primary septoplasty; this scoping review and historical perspective aims to chronicle the evolution of septoplasty in patients born with cleft lip and palate and discuss current evidence., Methods: The historical perspective explicitly contrasts American and European perceptions of septoplasty in cleft lip deformity and the competing anatomical theories of the role of the septum on midfacial and nasal growth. For the scoping review, articles were extracted from Embase, PubMed, and Medline, as well as manual searches of reference lists. Results were compiled, grouped, and appraised by date, outcomes, and historical significance. Inclusion criteria consisted of children who underwent primary septoplasty for any indication and were followed up on outcomes of facial growth and nasal function. Literature reviews, opinion articles, case reports, guidelines, or studies not available in English or online were excluded., Results: Evolving anatomical theories relating to midfacial growth in the mid-late 20th century underpinned a progressive ideological shift on the safety and efficacy of septoplasty in children. This is supported by our scoping review, which included 23 articles mutually selected for inclusion by 2 blinded assessors. Several competing methods have been employed to measure endpoints on facial growth and nasal function, but generally indicate primary septoplasty is successful in improving nasal function and preserving midfacial growth., Conclusion: Perceptions towards septoplasty on facial growth in the pediatric population have transformed significantly and suggest a growing acceptance of primary septoplasty techniques in patients born with a cleft lip., Competing Interests: The authors report no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 by Mutaz B. Habal, MD.)

Objective: To characterize the onset and prevalence of conductive hearing loss (CHL) in pediatric patients with cleft palate (CP) prior to palatoplasty with an enhanced audiologic protocol., Design: Retrospective cohort study., Setting: Multidisciplinary cleft and craniofacial clinic at a tertiary care center., Patients: Patients with CP who received audiologic workup pre-operatively. Patients with bilateral permanent hearing loss, expiration prior to palatoplasty, or no pre-operative data were excluded., Interventions: Patients with CP born February 2019 to November 2019 who passed newborn hearing screening (NBHS) received audiologic testing at 9 months of age (standard protocol). Patients born December 2019 to September 2020 underwent testing prior to 9 months of age (enhanced protocol)., Main Outcome Measures: Age of identification of CHL in patients after implementation of the enhanced audiologic protocol., Results: The number of patients who passed their NBHS in the standard protocol (n = 14, 54%) and the enhanced protocol (n = 25, 66%) did not differ. Infants who passed their NBHS, but demonstrated hearing loss on subsequent audiologic testing did not differ between enhanced (n = 25, 66%) and standard cohort (n = 14, 54%). Of patients who passed NBHS in the enhanced protocol, 48% (n = 12) had CHL identified by 3 months, and 20% (n = 5) by 6 months of age. With the enhanced protocol, patients who did not undergo additional testing post NBHS significantly dropped from 44.9% (n = 22) to 4.2% (n = 2) ( P  < .0001)., Conclusion: Even with passed NBHS, CHL is still present for infants with CP pre-operatively. Earlier and more frequent testing for this population is recommended., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. This retrospective cohort study was approved by the Vanderbilt University institutional Review Board (#190840).

Objective: The surgical outcomes of novel two-flap palatoplasty adding a buccinator musculomucosal flap were compared with those of conventional two-flap palatoplasty to clarify the effects of lengthening the nasal mucosa of the soft palate using a BMMF in cleft lip and palate or cleft palate cases., Design: Retrospective, comparative study., Setting: Tertiary, cleft team., Patients: Non-syndromic patients undergoing primary cleft palate repair using two-flap palatoplasty with BMMF (BMMF group) or conventional two-flap palatoplasty (non-BMMF group)., Interventions: Palatoplasty between January 2012 and March 2020., Main Outcome Measures: Perceptual Japanese speech evaluation, rate of an indication for additional speech surgery (AS), rate of incidence of oronasal fistula (IF) including spontaneously closing fistula, and rate of occurrence of oronasal fistula (OF) present for more than 3 months., Results: Of 92 analyzed patients, 70 received two-flap palatoplasty with BMMF and 22 received two-flap palatoplasty. In the BMMF and non-BMMF groups, the respective percentage of hypernasality (no, mild) was 91.4% and 77.2%, no nasal emission was 71.4% and 63.6%, velopharyngeal function (competent, borderline competent) was 83.7% and 77.4%, intelligibility (very good, good) was 93.7% and 86.4%, AS was 1.4% and 13.6%, IF was 7.1% and 36.4%, and OF was 1.4% and 9.1%. Significant improvements were observed for AS (p  =  0.0412) and IF (p  =  0.00195) in the BMMF group, with no recorded major adverse effects., Conclusion: Adding a BMMF on the nasal side of the soft palate to conventional two-flap palatoplasty significantly improved postoperative outcomes. This approach may therefore be a good option for cleft palate treatment., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Objective: To determine whether performing tonsillectomy at the time of Furlow palatoplasty for the treatment of cleft palate related velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) incurs increased surgical complications or compromises speech outcomes., Design: A retrospective review of patients who had Furlow palatoplasty and the outcomes of surgery in the treatment of cleft palate related VPI., Setting: A single academic center between January 2015 and January 2022., Participants: Patients with submucous cleft (SMC) palate or patients with prior straight line primary palatoplasty presenting with VPI., Interventions: Simultaneous conversion Furlow palatoplasty and tonsillectomy., Main Outcome Measure(s): Primary outcome measures include preoperative and postoperative Modified Pittsburgh Weighted Speech Scale (mPWSS), and postoperative surgical complications., Results: Eight patients (25%) underwent Furlow palatoplasty and concomitant tonsillectomy, while 24 patients (75%) underwent Furlow palatoplasty alone. A significantly lower median postoperative mPWSS score, corresponding to better velopharyngeal function, was reported for patients in the Furlow-tonsillectomy group (0, IQR 0-0) compared to the Furlow only group (1, IQR 0-9, p  =  0.046). No surgical complications were encountered in either group. Five patients (20.8%) in the Furlow only group required subsequent surgery for persistent VPI. No patients in the Furlow-tonsillectomy group required additional surgical treatment for VPI (0%, p  =  0.16)., Conclusions: Tonsillectomy at time of Furlow palatoplasty is utilized in patients with both VPI and baseline tonsillar hypertrophy to lessen the risk of postoperative obstructive breathing. Tonsillectomy performed concurrently with Furlow palatoplasty is safe, without increased risk of surgical complications, and does not compromise post-Furlow palatoplasty speech outcomes., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Objective: Health disparities contribute significantly to disease, health outcomes, and access to care. Little is known about the state of health disparities in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery (FPRS). This scoping review aims to synthesize the existing disparities research in FPRS and guide future disparities-related efforts., Data Sources: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science., Review Methods: We conducted a scoping review in adherence with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews checklist. Our search included all years through March 03, 2023. All peer-reviewed primary literature of any design related to disparities in FPRS was eligible for inclusion., Results: Of the 12283 unique abstracts identified, 215 studies underwent full-text review, and 108 remained for final review. The most frequently examined topics were cleft lip and palate (40.7%), facial trauma (29.6%), and gender affirmation (9.3%). There was limited coverage of other areas. Consideration of race/ethnicity (68.5%), socioeconomic status (65.7%), and gender/sex (40.7%) were most common. Social capital (0%), religion, occupation, and features of relationships were least discussed (0.01% each). The majority of studies were published after 2018 (59.2%) and were of nonprospective designs (95.4%). Most studies focused on disparity detection (80.6%) and few focused on understanding (13.9%) or reducing disparities (5.6%)., Conclusion: This study captures the existing literature on health disparities in FPRS. Studies are concentrated in a few areas of FPRS and are primarily in the detecting phase of public health research. Our review highlights several gaps and opportunities for future disparities-related focus., (© 2024 American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Foundation.)

Objective: We have used micro-computed tomography (CT) to elucidate the relationship between the muscle fibers in specimens with cleft palate. These findings could be useful for muscle reconstruction in cleft palate repair and to better understand cleft palate speech., Design: Cadaveric anatomical study., Participants: This study included three specimens with cleft palate., Intervention: The specimens were stained with phosphomolybdic acid and scanned by Micro-CT., Main Outcome Measure(s): The anatomy of the muscles., Results: Using 2D projection images and 3D reconstruction models, subtle anatomical structures could be observed in the muscles. The attachment of the levator veli palatini (LVP) was not at the posterior edge of the hard palate or palatine aponeurosis (PA), but at the anterior 21.71-44.2% of the cleft edge. The palatopharyngeal (PP) was composed of two bundles: inferior and superior heads, which clasped the LVP. The uvularis was unevenly distributed, and located on both sides of the cleft edge, originating at the edge. The palatoglossus, superior constrictor of pharynx and anatomical structure around the pterygoid hamulus, were normal. The PA, PP and LVP were attached to the cleft edge from front to back, in that order. The position of the uvularis was not fixed., Conclusions: With the help of Micro-CT technology, detailed anatomical features and the relationship between muscles could be visualized. In the specimen with cleft palate, muscles in the soft palate were associated with the pharyngeal muscles, which formed the 3D "velopharyngeal muscles complex." These findings provide anatomical evidence for muscle reconstruction in cleft palate repair., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of adrenaline infiltration, topical adrenaline, systemic tranexamic acid, fibrin tissue sealants and alginate-based topical coagulants at reducing blood loss and post-operative bleeding in primary cleft palate repair., Design: Systematic review according to PRISMA-P guidelines, using Covidence systematic review software to facilitate 3-stage screening and data extraction by two reviewers., Setting: Academic cleft surgery center., Interventions: Any peri-operative intervention to reduce intra-operative and post-operative bleeding., Main Outcome Measures: Estimated blood loss, rate of post-operative bleeding, rate of return to theatre for haemostasis., Results: Sixteen relevant studies were identified, with a total of 1469 study participants. Nine studies examined efficacy of infiltrating vasoconstrictors and all concluded that 1:100,000-1:400,000 adrenaline infiltration reduced intra-operative blood loss, to the range of 12-60 ml. Secondary bleeding and re-operation for haemostasis were uncommon. Tranexamic acid was studied in five randomised controlled trials, two of which demonstrated a significant reduction in blood loss compared to a control group. Use of fibrin and gelatin sponge products was examined in 3 studies, all of which reported no or minimal bleeding, but did not have quantifiable outcome measures., Conclusions: Infiltration with vasoconstricting agents, administration of systemic tranexamic acid and application of fibrin sealants have a well-studied and favorable safety profile in pediatric cases, and likely contribute to the relatively low incidence of post-operative bleeding and intra-operative blood loss in primary cleft palate repair., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Background: For patients with cleft lip/palate, adolescence is a time of maxillofacial growth and complex psychosocial stressors. The personal significance of facial differences may change, making patient-reported outcomes measures invaluable. In this study, we use several scales from the CLEFT-Q and FACE-Q to explore how aesthetic outcomes differ by age and by gender among patients with unilateral cleft lip/palate., Methods: This was a multicenter, cross-sectional study that prospectively collected CLEFT-Q and FACE-Q data across 6 cleft treatment centers during clinical appointments from 2019 to 2022. Subjects were aged 8 to 22 years, with unilateral cleft lip, alveolus, and palate, who had not undergone tertiary operative care (maxillary advancement or septorhinoplasty) at the time of survey response. Data cross-sections were prepared by age (8 to 10, 11 to 13, and 14 years or older), by gender, and by age and gender together., Results: Older age groups reported poorer aesthetic outcomes and worse appearance-related distress compared with younger groups. Although male and female subjects reported similar aesthetic outcomes, female subjects reported more appearance-related distress. When considered simultaneously, age and gender appear to have an intersectional impact on perceived aesthetic outcome and appearance-related distress during adolescence., Conclusions: This exploratory project suggests that patients with cleft lip/palate may perceive worsening of facial aesthetics throughout the course of adolescence, the exact pattern of which may be dependent on gender. Future work will evaluate this hypothesis using longitudinal cohorts. It will be important to investigate psychosocial factors that may impact these outcomes, and also to quantify the impact of tertiary operative care on these outcomes., Clinical Question/level of Evidence: Risk, II., (Copyright © 2023 by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.)

Background: Orthognathic surgery (OGS) is a common intervention used to correct midfacial hypoplasia in patients with cleft. Previous studies have reported that Le Fort I maxillary advancement may affect velopharyngeal function, but similar investigations focusing on 2-jaw OGS have not been conducted., Methods: A total of 162 consecutive patients with cleft lip and palate who underwent 2-jaw OGS between 2015 and 2020 were enrolled. Clinical data were collected, and preoperative and postoperative skeletal measurements were obtained from cephalometric images. Velopharyngeal function was evaluated using perceptual analysis and nasopharyngoscopy. A logistic regression model was used for risk factors associated with changes in velopharyngeal function., Results: After 2-jaw OGS, 82.1% of patients showed no change in velopharyngeal function, 3.7% experienced improvement, and 14.2% exhibited worsening of function. Changes in velopharyngeal function were statistically significant compared with velopharyngeal status before OGS. Multivariable logistic regression revealed that the amount of maxillary advancement independently predicted the deterioration of velopharyngeal function after OGS (odds ratio, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.20 - 2.52; P = 0.004). The receiver operating characteristic curve based on maxillary advancement demonstrated good discrimination, with an area under the curve of 0.727 (95% CI, 0.62 - 0.83; P = 0.001). The Youden index was 4.27 mm., Conclusions: Despite the risk of velopharyngeal function deterioration in patients with cleft palate undergoing OGS, some individuals experienced improved function after 2-jaw OGS. The extent of maxillary advancement has a negative effect on velopharyngeal function., Clinical Question/level of Evidence: Therapeutic, III., (Copyright © 2023 by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.)

Objective: A protruded premaxilla has always been challenging to care for by cleft care professionals. This study aims to fortify the use of a single-stage premaxillary setback, with posterior vomerine ostectomy and primary cheiloplasty to achieve proper care for patients with bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP) and protruded premaxilla., Design: Longitudinal retrospective analysis., Setting: Twenty-three outreach programs to four countries (Ecuador, Lebanon, Peru, and El-Salvador) between 2016-2022., Patients/participants: Sixty-five patients between the ages of 3 months and 6 years and 5 months, with BCLP and severely protruded premaxilla underwent premaxillary setback via posterior vomerine ostectomy and primary cheiloplasty. Patients with diagnosed syndromes and inaccessible vomer bone due to fused palates were excluded from the study., Interventions: Premaxillary setback with posterior vomerine ostectomy, bilateral gingivoperiosteoplasties (GPP), and primary cheiloplasty., Main Outcome Measure(s): Postoperative complications and aesthetic outcomes., Results: The mean age at surgery was 13.17 ± 14.1 months, with an average follow-up time of 26 ± 17 months. Patients underwent their procedures in Ecuador (72%), Peru (9%), Lebanon (8%) and El-Salvador (1%). The majority of patients were aged 1 year or less (66.7%) and were males (58.5%). All patients were operated on successfully and had good aesthetic outcomes. Only one patient developed partial necrosis., Conclusion: Patients with BCLP and severe premaxillary protrusion have always carried immense social, psychological, and financial burdens, especially in outreach settings. Our described single-stage technique has proven to be safe and effective with good aesthetic results. Further follow-up after primary repair should be done to document and ensure proper facial growth and normal nasolabial maturation., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Objectives: This study assessed overall quality of life (QoL) over time in youth with cleft lip and palate (CLP) undergoing maxillary protraction treatment or orthognathic surgery for class III malocclusion to identify any differences in QoL based on treatment group and outcome success., Materials and Methods: A prospective longitudinal cohort study was conducted in two pediatric hospitals. The Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) measured physical and mental QoL prior to treatment, at maximal correction, at treatment completion, and at 1-year post treatment. Analyses included one-sample, two-sample, and paired t-tests and analyses of variance and covariance., Results: Participants (N = 91) either completed protraction (n = 53) at age 11-14 or surgery (n = 38) at age 16-21. Participants were mostly Latinx (67%) males (55%) born with unilateral CLP (81%) and there were no demographic differences between the two groups other than age. The total sample's QoL was in the average range and significantly higher than national norms. No significant differences were found in QoL-based outcome success; however, the protraction group showed a gradual physical QoL improvement over time, while the surgery group experienced a temporary drop in physical QoL postoperatively. At treatment completion, higher physical QoL was associated with higher socioeconomic status. At a year post treatment, mental QoL was significantly higher for males., Conclusion: Both protraction and surgery appear to be acceptable treatment options in terms of overall QoL for youth with CLP. While treatment success did not impact QoL, there were some differences in physical QoL coinciding with the treatment phase as well as individual factors., (© 2024 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Objective: Surgical treatment of velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) includes a wide array of procedures. The purpose of this study was to develop a classification for VPI procedures and to describe variations in how they are performed. Design/participants/setting/outcomes: We completed an in-depth review of the literature to develop a preliminary schema that encompassed existing VPI procedures. Forty-one cleft surgeons from twelve hospitals across the USA and Canada reviewed the schema and either confirmed that it encompassed all VPI procedures they performed or requested additions. Two surgeons then observed the conduct of the procedures by surgeons at each hospital. Standardized reports were completed with each visit to further explore the literature, refine the schema, and delineate the common and unique aspects of each surgeon's technique., Results: Procedures were divided into three groups: palate-based surgery; pharynx-based surgery; and augmentation. Palate-based operations included straight line mucosal incision with intravelar veloplasty, double-opposing Z-plasty, and palate lengthening with buccal myomucosal flaps. Many surgeons blended maneuvers from these three techniques, so a more descriptive schema was developed classifying the maneuvers employed on the oral mucosa, nasal mucosa, and muscle. Pharynx-based surgery included pharyngeal flap and sphincter pharyngoplasty, with variations in design for each. Augmentation procedures included palate and posterior wall augmentation., Conclusions: A comprehensive schema for VPI procedures was developed incorporating intentional adaptations in technique. There was substantial variation amongst surgeons in how each procedure was performed. The schema may enable more specific evaluations of surgical outcomes and exploration of the mechanisms through which these procedures improve speech., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

There is still no unanimous agreement on the optimal surgical protocol(s) for the treatment of unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP), and a huge variety of protocols are employed by cleft centres across the world. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to compare reported patient outcomes of the Oslo protocol (and modifications) (OP) and delayed hard palate closure protocols (DHPCP) from a multidisciplinary perspective. A systematic search of multiple databases was conducted until September 2023. Studies reporting any patient outcomes of these protocols were included. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed for evidence synthesis, including comparisons of results between the types of protocol. The quality of evidence was evaluated using the ROBINS-I tool. In total, 62 articles (42 studies) reporting patients with UCLP were reviewed, involving 1281 patients following the OP and 655 following DHPCP. Equally poor long-term sagittal maxillofacial growth was found, and similar results for velopharyngeal insufficiency and nasolabial appearance. In contrast, OP was associated with a lower rate of oronasal fistulas. Disregarding the scarcity of comparable evidence for some domains, the results of this review, overall, favour OP over DHPCP. However, caution should be taken when interpreting the results on velopharyngeal insufficiency and oronasal fistulas, since the possibility of confounding and other biases remains., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Optimization of a modified rotation advancement technique is hampered by lack of objective measures to quantify the longitudinal surgical outcome., Methods: We collected and assessed facial 3D images of 115 consecutive patients who underwent primary repair between 2017 and 2019. Photogrammetry was performed preoperatively, immediately postoperatively and at a first and second follow-up interval, occurring at an average year of 0.6 and 5.3 years, respectively. 10 additional age-matched noncleft control subjects were also included., Results: Growth lag in cleft side lateral lip and gradual elongation of medial lip height on the cleft side caused continuous deviation of philtrum towards the cleft side. The columellar length on the cleft side continued to grow slower, accompanied by a persistent widening of alar base width on the cleft side, leading to in the gradual deviation of columella towards the cleft side. The pre-operative and post-operative nasolabial asymmetry would increase with greater degree of postoperative deficiencies. Right clefts presented with greater degrees of deficiencies in lateral lip height in preoperative measurement, but this discrepancy of the laterality of clefts was not observed in the two follow-up periods., Conclusion: The surgical outcome of this modified rotational advancement technique in unilateral cleft lip primary repair is promising. Growth lag in lateral lip and lateral displacement of alar base cause continuous deviation of philtrum towards the cleft side. Pre-operative severity does predict post-operative outcomes. Laterality of oral clefts does not significantly affect the long-term outcomes of surgery., Practical Implication: This surgical technique meets the current trend of cleft lip and palate primary repair and is worth promoting., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Background: This study evaluates a three-dimensional (3D) visualisation design combined with customized surgical guides to assist anterior maxillary segmental distraction osteogenesis (AMSDO) in correcting maxillary hypoplasia in adolescents with cleft lip and palate (CLP), focusing on treatment outcomes, satisfaction and the validity of 3D planning., Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at a single hospital in China. Between January 2020 and December 2023, 12 adolescents with CLP with maxillary hypoplasia were included. An advanced 3D simulation was used to convey the treatment strategy to the patients and their families. A customized surgical guide and distraction osteogenesis device were designed. Cephalometric analysis evaluated AMSDO changes and long-term stability. Patient satisfaction was assessed. The Chinese version of the Child Oral Health Impact Profile was used to evaluate the children's oral health-related quality of life before and after treatment. The postoperative outcomes were compared with the planned outcomes by superimposing the actual postoperative data onto the simulated soft tissue models and calculating the linear and angular differences between them., Results: One patient experienced postoperative gingivitis, yielding an 8.33% complication rate. Most patients (83.33%) were highly satisfied with the target position, with the rest content. Cephalometric analysis showed significant improvements in various indices post-traction. Quality-of-life scores significantly improved post-treatment. The discrepancies in facial soft tissue between the simulated and actual results were within clinically satisfactory ranges., Conclusions: Digitally designed surgical guides effectively treat maxillary hypoplasia in adolescents with CLP, ensuring stability, reducing complications, reducing dependency on operator experience, and enhancing satisfaction and health outcomes. Although the simulated results were clinically acceptable, it is important to inform patients of potential variations in the predicted soft tissue., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Aim: To show the potential of Invisalign in multi-segmental Le Fort I preparation with the aid of an occlusogram-like method., Methods: Nine patients treated with Invisalign before segmental osteotomy of the maxilla (study sample) were matched for diagnosis, surgical procedure, and complexity of orthodontic preparation with nine patients treated with fixed appliances (control sample). A superimposition technique was adapted to complement the Invisalign software to carry out an appropriate ClinCheck in segmental pre-surgical treatments. The correct pre-surgical positions of the maxillary teeth were guided with the use of virtual added curves that followed the lower arch. The number of impressions needed in both groups to reach adequate pre-surgical coordination of the segmented arches was compared., Conclusion: With the aid of the proposed superimposition method, during the digital simulation of presurgical movements, clear aligner therapy appears to be an effective treatment even in patients with skeletal discrepancies and craniofacial anomalies involving the need for segmental Le Fort I osteotomies. More sophisticated software will certainly be implemented in the future.

Background/importance: Cleft palate surgery is associated with significant postoperative pain. Effective pain control can decrease stress and agitation in children undergoing cleft palate surgery and improve surgical outcomes. However, limited evidence often results in inadequate pain control after cleft palate surgery., Objectives: The aim of this review was to evaluate the available evidence and to develop recommendations for optimal pain management after cleft palate surgery using procedure-specific postoperative pain management (PROSPECT) methodology., Evidence Review: MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Databases were searched for randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews assessing pain in children undergoing cleft palate repair published in English language from July 2002, through August 2023., Findings: Of 1048 identified studies, 19 randomized controlled trials and 4 systematic reviews met the inclusion criteria. Interventions that improved postoperative pain, and are recommended, include suprazygomatic maxillary nerve block or palatal nerve block (if maxillary nerve block cannot be performed). Addition of dexmedetomidine to local anesthetic for suprazygomatic maxillary nerve block or, alternatively, as intravenous administration perioperatively is recommended. These interventions should be combined with a basic analgesic regimen including acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Of note, pre-incisional local anesthetic infiltration and dexamethasone were administered as a routine in several studies, however, because of limited procedure-specific evidence their contribution to pain relief after cleft palate surgery remains unknown., Conclusion: The present review identified an evidence-based analgesic regimen for cleft palate surgery in pediatric patients., Prospero Registration Number: CRD42022364788., Competing Interests: Competing interests: GJ has received honoraria for consultation from Merck., (© American Society of Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine 2024. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. Published by BMJ.)