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Sri Lankan cleft lip and palate project: a preliminary report
S P Lambadusuriya1, M Mars, C M Ward
1Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Karapitiya, Galle, Sri Lanka.
Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine
|December 1, 1988
Summary
A surgical expedition treated 195 patients with cleft lip and palate in Sri Lanka. Impaired facial growth after palatal repair is likely an iatrogenic deformity, requiring further analysis.
Area of Science:
- Craniofacial Surgery
- Pediatric Plastic Surgery
- Speech Pathology
Background:
- Cleft lip and palate (CLP) significantly impacts faciomaxillary growth, speech, and psychosocial well-being.
- Surgical interventions aim to correct CLP deformities and improve patient outcomes.
- Understanding the long-term effects of surgical repair on facial growth is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the outcomes of a surgical expedition treating patients with cleft lip and palate in Sri Lanka.
- To evaluate the impact of surgical repair on faciomaxillary growth, speech, and psychosocial aspects.
- To investigate the potential iatrogenic causes of impaired facial growth following palatal repair.
Main Methods:
- A multidisciplinary team conducted a 4-week surgical expedition in Sri Lanka.
- 195 patients with cleft lip and palate underwent surgical treatment.
- Over 300 patients were assessed for faciomaxillary growth, speech, and psychosocial impact.
Main Results:
- Lip surgery was generally simple and safe.
- Palatal closure presented challenges in older patients due to anatomical variations and bleeding.
- Preliminary findings suggest impaired facial growth post-palatal repair is often iatrogenic.
Conclusions:
- Surgical repair of cleft lip and palate is feasible through expeditions, though challenges exist.
- Palatal repair may contribute to iatrogenic facial growth deformities.
- Further data analysis is required to confirm the long-term impact and refine surgical techniques.