An Updated Treatment of Complete Cleft Palate: a Retrospective Study

ABSTRACT

Objective: Complete cleft palate is still considered a complex problem. The proposed plan of management attempts to resolve the problem by adjusting the timing and steps of surgery. Methods: Forty-eight cases of unilateral and bilateral varieties were included in this study. Cases were operated by the author in King Khalid Civilian Hospital in Tabuk.Saudi Arabia and in University Malaya Medical Center, Malaysia, in the period from 1992 up to 2003. The study proposed to close the lip in the first week of life and palate by 7th to 10th month of age. Results: The results were satisfactory regarding closure, aesthetic appearance and speech improvement. Problems in the modified scheme are minor when compared with the classic scheme. Conclusion: Modifying the timing for treatment of complete cleft palate and lip allows early restoration of the normal anatomy of the mouth and face. This promotes normal growth of the facial skeleton and dentition, resulting in normal shape and good speech quality.