Cleft Lip and Palate Repair

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Embryology & Classification - Cleft Genesis

  • Embryology: Failed mesenchymal fusion of facial prominences.
    • Lip (CL): Medial nasal & maxillary prominences. Failure by 4-7 weeks.
    • Palate (CP): Palatal shelves (from maxillary prominences). Failure by 6-12 weeks.
      • Primary palate: Anterior to incisive foramen.
      • Secondary palate: Posterior to incisive foramen.
  • Classification:
    • Types: Cleft Lip (CL), Cleft Palate (CP), Cleft Lip & Palate (CLP).
    • Extent: Unilateral/Bilateral, Complete/Incomplete.
    • Systems: LAHSHAL, Veau.

Embryological development of the face and prominences

⭐ CL/P more common in males; isolated CP more in females. 📌 M>F (CL/P), F>M (CP).

Cleft Lip Repair - Lip Architects

  • Timing: Rule of 10s: 10 weeks age, 10 pounds weight, 10 g/dL Hb.
  • Techniques Overview:
    • Millard (Rotation-Advancement): Most popular; adaptable. Preserves Cupid's bow point C.
    • Tennison-Randall (Triangular Flap): Z-plasty principle; good for wide clefts. Lengthens lip.
    • Rose-Thompson (Straight Line): For incomplete/microform clefts.
  • Surgical Goals:
    • Restore orbicularis oris muscle continuity.
    • Achieve lip symmetry & Cupid’s bow definition.
    • Create a natural philtrum.
    • Symmetrical nostril floor & alar base. Millard Cleft Lip Repair Incisions and Landmarks

⭐ The Millard technique, a rotation-advancement flap, is favored for its ability to recreate the philtral dimple and Cupid's bow effectively for unilateral clefts.

Cleft Palate Repair - Palatal Reconstruction

Cleft Palate Repair: Two-Flap Palatoplasty Technique

  • Timing: Typically 9-18 months; balances speech development & facial growth.
  • Goals:
    • Separate oral & nasal cavities.
    • Achieve normal velopharyngeal function for speech.
    • Minimize impact on maxillary growth.
  • Key Surgical Principle:
    • Intravelar veloplasty: Dissection & retropositioning of levator veli palatini muscles to create a functional sling.
  • Common Techniques:
    • Von Langenbeck: Bipedicle mucoperiosteal flaps.
    • Wardill-Kilner (V-Y pushback): Lengthens soft palate.
    • Furlow Double Opposing Z-plasty: Lengthens palate & reconstructs levator sling.

⭐ Furlow Z-plasty is often favored for its superior levator muscle reconstruction, crucial for optimal speech outcomes and reducing Velopharyngeal Insufficiency (VPI) risk.

Associated Issues & Teamwork - Holistic Care

  • Associated Problems
    • Speech: VPI (hypernasality), articulation issues.
    • Hearing: OME common (Eustachian tube dysfunction); audiology vital.
    • Dental: Malocclusion, tooth anomalies; orthodontics.
    • Feeding: Early difficulties; specialized aids.
    • Psychosocial: Support for child/family.
  • MDT Approach
    • Crucial for staged, comprehensive care.
    • Core Team: Surgeon, Orthodontist, SLP, Audiologist, ENT.
    • Supporting Team: Pediatrician, Psychologist.

⭐ Otitis Media with Effusion (OME) affects ~90% of cleft palate infants, mandating early hearing screening & management.

Complications & Long-Term - Potential Pitfalls

  • Early:
    • Lip: Bleeding, infection, dehiscence, flap necrosis. Airway (Pierre Robin).
    • Palate: Bleeding, airway obstruction, dehiscence. Oronasal fistula (common).
  • Long-Term:
    • Speech: Velopharyngeal Insufficiency (VPI) → hypernasality, nasal emission. Therapy/surgery.

      ⭐ VPI is the most frequent long-term issue after palate repair, causing hypernasal speech.

    • Dental: Malocclusion, crossbite. Alveolar Bone Grafting (ABG) at 8-10 yrs.
    • Hearing: Otitis Media with Effusion (OME) → grommets.
    • Growth: Maxillary hypoplasia → orthognathic surgery.
    • Nasal Deformity: Secondary rhinoplasty.
    • Fistula: Persistent oronasal fistula.

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Cleft lip repair is typically performed at 3 months (Rule of 10s); Millard rotation-advancement flap is most common for unilateral cases.
  • Cleft palate repair is usually done between 9-18 months to optimize speech development; common techniques include Von Langenbeck and Furlow Z-plasty.
  • Veau classification is used for cleft palate. Presurgical orthopedics like NAM can improve outcomes.
  • Velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) is a key complication post-palate repair, leading to hypernasal speech.
  • Associated syndromes include Pierre Robin sequence (micrognathia, glossoptosis, cleft palate) and Van der Woude syndrome (lip pits).
  • Simonart's band (a soft tissue bridge) may be present in incomplete cleft lips.
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Which index is used to score the outcome of treatment in patients with cleft lip and palate?

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In a _____ nose, there is depressed nasal dorsum.

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