How to Get Consistently Good Results in Cleft Lip Repair

Use it or Lose it: Predictors of Compliance and Satisfaction With Postoperative Nasal Stent Therapy After Primary Cleft Lip Repair

OBJECTIVE

Postoperative nasal stents (NSs) are used to improve esthetic outcomes after primary or secondary cleft lip repair (CLR). Prior studies have utilized anthropometric measurements or physician assessment to determine the efficacy of NS, but data on caregiver-reported outcomes is limited. This study aims to assess caregiver compliance and satisfaction with postoperative NS.

METHODS

The authors designed a survey to collect parent-reported postoperative NS usage outcomes. Parents of infants with cleft lip (CL) who used postoperative NS after primary CLR were approached through social media to complete the survey. Data were analyzed to determine factors impacting compliance, satisfaction, and parent-reported outcomes.

RESULTS

Eighty-five parents completed the questionnaire, and 60% reported noncompliance with NS. Parents with male children (odds ratio: 5.08, P = 0.019) and patients with incomplete CL (odds ratio: 5.72, P = 0.006) were more likely to be non-compliant with NS for over a week. Complete CL and use of presurgical molding therapy were each associated with better overall experience with postoperative NS ( P = 0.002 and P = 0.037), higher appearance ratings ( P = 0.005 and P = 0.0008), and greater satisfaction with nostril shape after surgery ( P = 0.016 and P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite limited literature related to caregiver-reported outcomes after postoperative NS for primary CLR, the authors' results align with what has been published regarding this topic. These results can help guide surgeons in counseling patients preoperatively. Larger, multi-institutional studies are needed to better delineate and address factors associated with compliance and satisfaction after NS therapy.

Growth patterns of the nasolabial region following unilateral cleft lip primary repair

Surgical correction is the optimal way of repairing a congenital cleft lip. Patients with this condition often undergo initial surgical treatment at an early age and achieve an acceptable outcome. However, their levels of satisfaction will decrease in later stages of life as facial growth and development will inevitably cause changes in long-term outcomes, especially in the nasolabial region. Therefore, it is important for surgeons to understand nasolabial development after primary treatment and tailor their surgical techniques appropriately. This review focuses on the growth patterns of the nasolabial region after primary repair, so as to provide references for operative strategy.