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Published on: February 5, 2019
Immediate unrestricted feeding of infants following cleft lip and palate repair
M Cohen1, M A Marschall, M E Schafer
1University of Illinois, Division of Plastic Surgery, Chicago.
Insights
Immediate unrestricted feeding after cleft lip and palate repair is safe and feasible. This approach simplifies postoperative care without increasing wound complications in infants.
Area of Science:
- Craniofacial surgery
- Pediatric surgery
- Surgical outcomes
Background:
- Postoperative feeding protocols following cleft lip and palate repair remain a subject of debate.
- Current practices vary, with some advocating for restricted feeding methods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility and safety of immediate unrestricted feeding post-cleft lip and palate repair.
- To assess the impact of unrestricted feeding on operative outcomes and complications.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 80 infants undergoing cleft lip and palate repair.
- Comparison of two feeding protocols: Protocol A (tube/syringe) vs. Protocol B (unrestricted bottle/breast feeding).
Main Results:
- No lip or palate wound complications were observed in the unrestricted feeding group (Protocol B).
- Immediate unrestricted feeding was successfully implemented in infants with both unilateral and bilateral cleft defects.
Conclusions:
- Immediate unrestricted feeding can be safely initiated after cleft lip and/or palate repair.
- This feeding regimen offers a simplified and improved approach to postoperative management.
Abstract:
Postoperative feeding regimens after cleft lip and palate repair continue to be a controversial issue. This study was designed to test the feasibility of immediate unrestricted feeding after lip and palate closure with attention to operative outcome or complications. A retrospective analysis of two feeding protocols involved 80 infants with both unilateral and bilateral defects. Protocol A utilized tube and syringe feedings, and protocol B utilized unrestricted bottle or breast feedings. There were no instances of lip or palate wound complications in the unrestricted group. We conclude that immediate unrestricted feeding may be instituted safely, thus improving and simplifying postoperative management after cleft lip and/or palate repair.
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