Management of cleft lip and palate: an appraisal of 50 cases managed in oral and maxillofacial surgery department, armed forces institute of dentistry, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

ABSTRACT

From Jan 2006 to Dec 2007 a total of 50 patients of congenital cleft lip and palate were managed in oral and maxillofacial surgical department of Armed Forces Institute of dentistry [AFID], Rawalpindi. Cleft of the lip was repaired with functional repair technique, and cleft in the palate was repaired using intra velor veloplasty. Cleft lip and palate is a congenital anomaly which requires a coordinated care of the patient involving multiple disciplines of medicine and dentistry. Unfortunately the incidence of clefts is on a rise in developing countries due to lack of awareness and improper handling of pregnancy by the mother. Lack of resources on the part of both, i.e., patients and the medical professionals is not helping the cause. Although a comprehensive care of the cleft patients is far from a reality in the subcontinent, we are reporting the cleft lip and palate cases which have been treated in coordination with different specialties accessible at the Armed Forces Institute of Dentistry [AFID], Rawalpindi. In this study, we highlight the demographics, clinical features and surgical management of cleft lip and palate