Evaluation of effect of early nasal layer closure on definitive repair in cleft palate patients

Abstract

Introduction: Cleft of lip and palate are most common serial congenital anomalies to affect the orofacial region. It can occur isolated or together in various combination and/or along with other congenital deformities particularly congenital heart diseases. Patient with oro-facial cleft deformity needs to be treated at right time and at right age to achieve functional and esthetic well being. The cleft palate is one of the most common congenital anomalies treated by plastic surgeons. The cleft width increases the tension of repair and necessitates excessive dissection that might affect maxillary growth. Decreasing the width of cleft minimize tension, dissection and may limit the impact on maxillary growth. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of nasal layer closure of the hard palate at the time of cleft lip repair in patients with complete and incomplete cleft lip and palate, to demonstrate the efficacy of narrowing the gap and to reduce the incidence of fistulae or other complications. Material and Methods: Sixty patients less than 1 year of age were included in this prospective observational study.