Treatment of unilateral Complete Cleft Lip and Palate by Primary Lip-Nose Repair and Pre-surgical Orthopedic : A Case Report

Abstract

Background : Infants born with a cleft lip-palate is facial deformity requires restoration of the integrity of the soft facial tissue. Interdisciplinary management provides the necessary integration of procedures, which will yield the most satisfactory results.

Objective : To present a unique procedure combining pre-surgical orthopedic treatment and primary lip-nose repair for infants with unilateral complete cleft lip and palate.

Design : A retrospective, descriptive study.

Setting : Orthodontic Department, Faculty of Dentistry and Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University

Intervention : First the patient received pre-operative orthopedic treatment. A passive obturator was used as an adjunct to aid feeding and guide growth of the lateral palatal segments. Combined primary lip and nasal reconstruction, were done during a single surgery.

Result : The patient came to hospital with complete unilateral complete cleft lip and palate. A passive obturator with lip strapping was prescribed to resolve feeding problems and guide the growth of palatal segments. A  one-stage surgery combining lip and nasal reconstruction was performed. The surgical lip and nose revision yielded good early aesthetics of the soft lip and nose tissue.

Conclusion : Pre-surgical orthopedic treatment combined with primary lip-nose repair is an effective treatment of unilateral cleft lip and palate.

Key words : Obturator, unilateral complete cleft lip and cleft palate, primary lip-nose reconstruction.