Open AccessLong-Term Follow-up of Unilateral Cleft lip and Palate: Incidence of Speech-Correcting Surgeries and Fistula Formation
Author(s) -
Charlotta Gustafsson,
Arja Heliövaara,
Junnu Leikola
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
the cleft palate-craniofacial journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.641
H-Index - 79
eISSN - 1545-1569
pISSN - 1055-6656
DOI - 10.1177/10556656211055641
Subject(s) - medicine , term (time) , incidence (geometry) , dentistry , fistula , congenital disease , audiology , velopharyngeal insufficiency , palatoplasty , surgery , orthodontics , physics , optics , quantum mechanics
The ideal surgical protocol and technique for primary closure of unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) are unclear, and the development of velopharyngeal insufficiency and fistulae following primary repair is common. This study aimed to determine the long-term surgical burden of care in terms of secondary surgeries, defined as speech-correcting surgeries (SCSs) and fistula repair, in a UCLP population, and to compare outcomes of various surgical protocols.