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Adolescent and adult cleft lip and palate, in Ile-Ife, Nigeria
A O Oladele1, J K Olabanji, O O Awe
1Department of Surgery, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. ayodejiolarewaju@yahoo.com
Insights
Late presentation of congenital cleft lip and palate (CLP) in Nigerian adolescents and adults is common, with many untreated or having had prior failed surgeries. Satisfactory outcomes were achieved with timely intervention, highlighting the need for accessible care.
Area of Science:
- Plastic Surgery
- Craniofacial Surgery
- Pediatric Surgery
Background:
- Congenital cleft lip and palate (CLP) typically presents in childhood.
- Late presentation of CLP in Nigerian adults has been documented.
- This study reviews adolescent and adult CLP patients in a Nigerian center.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review adolescent and adult CLP patients.
- To document patterns and management outcomes.
- To add to the literature on adult CLP.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of adolescent and adult CLP patients (May 2006 - April 2010).
- Data collected included demographics, cleft type, prior surgeries, and surgical interventions.
- Clinical photos were also reviewed.
Main Results:
- Adolescents and adults comprised 24% of patients (age 13-76).
- Unilateral cleft of the primary palate was most common, with female predominance.
- 37 procedures were performed on 33 patients with satisfactory outcomes.
Conclusions:
- A significant proportion of CLP patients are adolescents and adults.
- Many adult patients had no prior surgical intervention or had failed previous surgeries.
- Late intervention yielded satisfactory outcomes, but prior failed surgeries correlated with poorer results.
Introduction:
Congenital cleft lip and palate (CLP) defects usually present in childhood, especially in places with available and affordable care. In Nigeria, their incidence is low but late presentation in Adult life have been reported. This article aims at reviewing adolescent and adult CLP patients in our center, with the advent of free and available care, and to document the patterns and management outcomes of these patients as an addition to existing literature on the subject of adult CLP.
Materials And Methods:
A retrospective review of adolescent and adult CLP patients managed from May 2006 to April 2010. Demographic data as well as clinical information were retrieved from the hospital records and include the type of cleft deformity, surgical intervention prior to presentation, the type of surgery performed and postoperative outcomes. Some pertinent clinical photos were also reviewed.
Results:
Adolescent and adults constituted 24% of the 137 patients, their age ranged from 13 to 76 years, with a mean, median and modal age of 28, 22 and 20 years respectively. Unilateral cleft of primary palate was commonest with female preponderance. Most never had surgery, others desired revision surgery or secondary procedures. The outcomes were satisfactory in the 37 procedures performed on 33 patients.
Conclusion:
A relatively high ratio of adolescent and adult clefts is observed. Most of them have never had surgical intervention. Some had failed surgical intervention prior to presentation. Satisfactory outcomes were achieved despite late intervention but failed initial intervention was associated with poorer outcomes.
