Early functional outcome of two surgical protocols used in the repair of complete unilateral cleft lip palate

Background and objective The outcome of different treatment protocols for primary management of patients with complete unilateral cleft lip palate (UCLP) may vary considerably. This study aimed to compare the results of quality of speech and velopharyngeal sphincter mechanism between two surgical protocols used in the repair of complete UCLP. Patients and methods This study was conducted in Zagazig University Hospitals from February 2009 to April 2012 on 30 patients. The patients were categorized into two groups: group A, which consisted of 15 patients who underwent cleft lip repair and cleft hard palate repair with a vomer flap in same sitting; and group B, which consisted of 15 patients who underwent only cleft lip repair at first sitting. At the age of 12 months in both groups, repair of the remaining cleft palate was performed. Results A significant difference between groups A and B at all postoperative comparisons was found in terms of grade of nasality, grade of closure of the velopharyngeal valve, and nasal emission of air. Conclusion Early repair of the hard palate with simultaneous cleft lip repair can be considered as a reliable alternative procedure to one-stage palatoplasty and appeared to have better early functional results in the treatment of complete UCLP.