Ethical issues in the case of surgical repair of cleft palate

Scar Outcome in Unilateral Complete Cleft Lip Repair: A Comparative Analysis of Vertical Lip Lengthening Strategies Using the Rotation-Advancement Concept

OBJECTIVE

To assess the differences in scar outcomes between modified rotation-advancement techniques proposed by Drs. Mohler and Noordhoff, designed to address issues such as inadequate vertical lip length and scarring on the upper third of the lip in the original rotation-advancement technique.

DESIGN

Retrospective single-surgeon (RD) study.

PATIENTS

Consecutive non-syndromic children (n = 68) with unilateral complete cleft lip and palate.

INTERVENTIONS

Modified Mohler (columellar backcut reconstructed with C flap; n = 34) and modified Noordhoff (lower, medially-created backcut reconstructed with laterally-based triangular skin flap; n = 34) repairs.

MEAN OUTCOME MEASURES

Using 12-month postoperative frontal photographs, scar evaluations (overall and superior, middle, and inferior portions of the lip) were appraised by an assessment panel composed by independent professional and nonprofessional raters employing four validated qualitative scar assessment scales: Manchester Scar Scale, modified Scar-Rating Scale, Stony Brook Scar Evaluation Scale, and Visual Analog Scale. Quantitative computerized photogrammetric scar widths of the superior, middle, and inferior portions of the upper lip were also measured.

RESULTS

The modified Noordhoff method showed significantly (all P < .001) better scar quality for the overall scar and superior portion of the scar in all four scales compared to the modified Mohler method, with no significant (all P > .05) difference for the middle and lower portions. No significant difference (all P > .05) was observed for photogrammetric scar width measurements.

CONCLUSION

The modified Noordhoff technique provided better qualitative results for unilateral complete cleft lip-related scars compared to the modified Mohler technique.

An ex vivo model for education and training of bilateral cleft lip surgery

BACKGROUND

Bilateral cleft lip surgery is very challenging and requires a high level of skill, knowledge and experience. Existing high-fidelity simulation models that can be used by novice cleft surgeons to gain experience and expand their knowledge are rare and expensive. In this study, we developed a bilateral cleft lip model using porcine snout discs, which are available anywhere and inexpensive.

METHODS

Anatomic reference points of a patient with a bilateral cleft lip were superimposed with landmarks of the porcine snout disc on a foil template. The template was used to construct an ex vivo bilateral cleft lip model. Surgery was performed on the model according to Millard and the surgical steps were photodocumented analogous to two clinical cases of bilateral cleft lip surgery. The suitability of the model was further tested by twelve participants and evaluated using self-assessment questionnaires.

RESULTS

The bilateral cleft lip ex vivo model made of a porcine snout disc proved to be a suitable model with very low cost and ease of fabrication, as the template is reusable on any snout disc. The Millard procedure was successfully performed and the surgical steps of the lip plasty were simulated close to the clinical situation. Regarding the nasal reconstruction, the model lacks three-dimensionality. As a training model, it enhanced the participants comprehension of cleft surgery as well as their surgical skills. All participants rated the model as valuable for teaching and training.

CONCLUSIONS

The porcine snout discs can be used as a useful ex vivo model for bilateral cleft lip surgery with limitations in the construction of the nose, which cannot be realistically performed with the model due to anatomical differences with humans. Benefits include a realistic tissue feel, the simulation of a multi-layered lip construction, a wide and rapid availability and low cost. This allows the model to be used by novice surgeons also in low-income countries. It is therefore useful as a training model for gaining experience, but also as a model for refining, testing and evaluating surgical techniques for bilateral lip plasty.

Timing of Palatal Surgery and Speech Outcome

Objective:

To examine the impact of age and lexical status at the time of primary palatal surgery on speech outcome of preschoolers with cleft palate.

Participants:

Forty children (33 to 42 months) with nonsyndromic cleft palate participated in the study. Twenty children (Group 1) were less lexically advanced and younger (mean age  =  11 months) and 20 children (Group 2) were more lexically advanced and older (mean age  =  15 months) when palatal surgery was performed.

Main Outcome Measures:

Samples of the children's spontaneous speech were compared on 11 speech production measures (e.g., size of consonant inventory, total consonants correct, % correct for manner of articulation categories, compensatory articulation usage, etc.). Next, listeners rated a 30-second sample of each child's connected speech for articulation proficiency and hypernasality, separately, using direct magnitude estimation (DME).

Results:

Group differences were noted for 4 of the 11 speech production measures. Children in Group 1 exhibited larger consonant inventories (and true consonant inventories) and more accurate production of nasals and liquids compared to children in Group 2. On the DME task, significant group differences were found for ratings of articulation proficiency and hypernasality. Children in Group 1 exhibited better articulation and less hypernasality than children in Group 2.

Conclusions:

The findings suggested that children who were less lexically advanced and younger at the time of palatal surgery exhibited better articulation and resonance outcomes at 3 years of age.

Choice of incision for primary repair of unilateral complete cleft lip: a comparative study of outcomes in 796 patients

BACKGROUND

No one technique of cleft lip repair consistently produces ideal aesthetic and functional results. This study was carried out in a developing, high-volume center. It compares outcomes attained using two different designs of skin incision used for primary closure of unilateral complete cleft lip and sought to identify the most appropriate technique for clefts of varying morphology.

METHODS

Seven hundred ninety-six patients were entered into the study. In each group of slightly less than 400 patients, either a modified Millard or Pfeifer wavy line incision was used, both in conjunction with functional repair of the underlying tissues as described by Delaire. Soft-tissue measurements of the lip and nose were recorded preoperatively. Analysis was based on postoperative assessment of the white roll, vermilion border, scar, Cupid's bow, lip length, and nostril symmetry and appearance of the alar dome and base.

RESULTS

Comparison of the two cohorts using Pearson chi-square testing for association and linear trend found a Millard incision gave significantly better results for vermilion match, whereas the Pfeifer method led to a better postoperative lip length. Preconceptions that one particular technique was better suited to certain preoperative cleft anatomical forms were not proven statistically.

CONCLUSIONS

Certain preoperative anatomical features may lead the surgeon to choose one particular incision pattern in preference to another, but in this study, it was found that one technique was essentially as good as the other. This suggests that the technique for closure of the underlying tissues is probably of more importance.

Velopharyngeal function in nonsyndromic cleft palate: relevance of surgical technique, age at repair, and cleft type

OBJECTIVE

The goal of this study was to determine the relative importance of surgical technique, age at repair, and cleft type for velopharyngeal function.

DESIGN

This was a retrospective study of patients operated on by two surgeons using different techniques (von Langenbeck and Veau-Wardill-Kilner [VY]) at Children's Hospital, Boston, MA.

PATIENTS

We included 228 patients who were at least 4 years of age at the time of review. Patients with identifiable syndromes, nonsyndromic Robin sequence, central nervous system disorders, communicatively significant hearing loss, and inadequate speech data were excluded.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Need for a pharyngeal flap was the measure of outcome.

RESULTS

Pharyngeal flap was necessary in 14% of von Langenbeck and 15% of VY repaired patients. There was a significant linear association (p = .025) between age at repair and velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI). Patients with an attached vomer, soft cleft palate (SCP), and unilateral cleft lip/palate (UCLP) had a 10% flap rate, whereas those with an unattached vomer, hard/soft cleft palate (HSCP), and bilateral cleft lip/palate (BCLP) had a 23% flap rate (p = .03). Age at repair was critical for the unattached-vomer group (p = .03) but was not statistically significant for the attached-vomer group (p = .52).

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical technique was not a significant variable either in aggregate or for the Veau types. Patients in the earliest repair group (8-10 months) were the least likely to require a pharyngeal flap. Early repair was more critical for HSCP and BCLP patients. There was no correlation between velopharyngeal insufficiency and Veau hierarchy. The attached vomer/levator muscle complex may be a more important predictor of surgical success than the anatomic extent of cleft.