Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 4, 2026
A Postoperative Evaluation Guideline for Computer-Assisted Reconstruction of the Mandible
Published on: January 28, 2020
The parameters of care for cleft lip and palate patients in Aarhus, Denmark
Insights
The Aarhus Cleft Palate Institute offers comprehensive care for over 75 new cleft lip and palate patients annually. This long-standing, team-based approach ensures coordinated treatment from birth through late teens, improving patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Craniofacial Surgery
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Speech-Language Pathology
Background:
- The Aarhus Cleft Palate Institute manages approximately 75 new cleft lip and palate cases yearly.
- Early notification allows for immediate intervention and a coordinated team approach from birth.
- A multidisciplinary team manages cleft care, ensuring comprehensive treatment planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline the established, long-term treatment protocol for cleft lip and palate patients.
- To highlight the benefits of a coordinated, team-based approach in managing cleft care.
- To emphasize the continuous improvement of patient care through systematic follow-up and data collection.
Main Methods:
- Statutory notification of all newborn cleft patients.
- Individually planned primary surgery with ongoing speech and maxillofacial growth monitoring.
- Regular team examinations, including speech assessment from age one and orthodontic interventions starting at age eight.
Main Results:
- Coordinated treatment from birth through late teens, including primary surgery, speech therapy, orthodontics, and potential orthognathic surgery.
- Early identification of speech issues like hypernasality and articulation disorders.
- Orthodontic treatment integrated with bone grafting for specific cleft types (UCLP, BCLP).
Conclusions:
- A consistent, team-based approach over 50 years has refined cleft lip and palate care.
- Systematic follow-up and data analysis provide a foundation for evidence-based protocol modifications.
- The protocol aims to optimize speech, facial growth, and overall patient outcomes by late adolescence.
Abstract:
Aarhus Cleft Palate Institute receives approximately 75 new cleft patients a year. Due to statuary notification of all newborn cleft patients to the Institute, the treatment protocol can be offered to the family from right after birth, and a coordinated team approach can be established. The individually planned primary surgery, speech and growth of the maxillo-facial skeleton is followed by regular team examinations. Speech development is followed from the child is one year old in order to be able to provide speech assessment as soon as problems of hypernasality and articulation disorders or language delay is evident. One of the goals of speech assessment is to achieve acceptable speech as early as possible and at best before school start. Orthodontic treatment is usually started at 8 years of age, in UCLP and BCLP patients in combination with bonegrafting at 9-11 years of age. In patients with impaired growth of the maxilla, attention is paid to identify candidates for orthognathic surgical treatment as early as possible. All secondary surgical treatment on jaws, lips and nose are coordinated and usually the treatment can be finished by the late teens. The described team approach towards the parameters of care for cleft lip and palate patients has basically been used for more than 50 years. A systematic follow-up and data collection on all patients provide a scientific base for evaluation of treatment results. Based on long-term investigations the protocol has gradually been modified during time to improve the quality of patient care.
