Cleft Lip and Palate Repair Training to Bridge the Gap in Low-Income Countries

Atypical facial clefts: Tessier number 3 and 4 clefts

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Tessier number 3 and 4 clefts result from failed fusion of facial processes during embryogenesis, and cause functional, psychosocial, and cosmetic morbidity. Given their rarity and heterogeneity, they present a unique challenge to the reconstructive surgeon, with limited literature for guidance. The purpose of this update is to summarize Tessier number 3 and 4 clefts with a focus on recent literature and expert opinion.

RECENT FINDINGS

The incidence of atypical facial clefts has been estimated between 1.4 and 4.9 per 100 000 live births. Several retrospective chart reviews have been published in recent years; however, the epidemiologic data remains limited. Surgical management must be individualized and guided by classic reconstructive principles. The goal of surgery is to return the three soft tissue components (lip, nasomalar, and eyelid) to their proper anatomical location.

SUMMARY

Tessier number 3 and 4 clefts are rare, demonstrate a wide spectrum of clinical presentation, and remain challenging to gain a breadth of experience for any single surgeon. They are classified based on their location along well defined anatomical axes. Component repair is performed with attention to the lip, nasomalar, and eyelid regions to restore facial symmetry and function.

Simulation Training Approach for Cleft Lip and Palate Repair in Low-Income Countries

BACKGROUND

During periods of civil strife, the need for trauma care and lack of sufficient cleft surgeons causes an increase in children left untreated with cleft lip and palate deformities. During the Syrian war, some cleft care was provided through visiting charities, with surgeries performed both in Syria and neighboring countries. There is a need to increase the number of adequately trained cleft surgeons available in such regions so that care can be achieved beyond mission trips.

METHODOLOGY

Cleft lip and palate repair workshops were delivered to 50 doctors in Syria. Pre-workshop, trainees received supplementary learning material. During the workshop, attendees received didactic teaching followed by 2 simulation sessions. Pre- and post-workshop, attendees completed questionnaires regarding their confidence and ability to perform cleft lip and palate repair.

RESULTS

Pre-workshop, 96% of workshop attendees had never independently performed cleft lip repair while 100% of attendees had not previously performed cleft palate repair. The mean pre-workshop confidence score was 2.452. Post-workshop, the mean confidence score was 3.503. Confidence rating scores significantly improved (P < .001).

CONCLUSION

The workshop delivered in Syria, together with this cleft lip and palate simulator provides an effective training tool that may support surgical training globally, particularly those in low-income countries. Further support is needed by charity organizations to ensure the continued delivery of such training.

Epidemiological and clinical evaluation of patients with a cleft in lower saxony Germany: a mono-center analysis

OBJECTIVE

The aim was to provide epidemiological and clinical data on patients with orofacial clefts in Lower Saxony in Germany.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The records of 404 patients with orofacial clefts treated surgically at the University Medical Center Goettingen from 2001 to 2019 were analyzed in this retrospective study. Prevalence of orofacial clefts in general, orofacial clefts as manifestation of a syndrome, sex distribution, and prevalence of different cleft types was evaluated and associated with the need for corrective surgery, family history, pregnancy complications, and comorbidities.

RESULTS

The prevalence of orofacial clefts for Goettingen in Lower Saxony was 1:890. 231 patients were male and 173 were female. CLP was most common (39.1%) followed by CP (34.7%), CL (14.4%), CLA (9.9%), and facial clefts (2%). The left side was more frequently affected and unilateral cleft forms occurred more often than bilateral ones. Almost 10% of the population displayed syndromic CL/P. 10.9% of all patients had a positive family history regarding CL/P, predominantly from the maternal side. Pregnancy abnormalities were found in 11.4%, most often in the form of preterm birth. Comorbidities, especially of the cardiovascular system, were found in 30.2% of the sample. 2.2% of patients treated according to the University Medical Center Goettingen protocol corrective surgery was performed in form of a velopharyngoplasty or residual hole closure.

CONCLUSIONS

The epidemiological and clinical profile of the study population resembled the expected distributions in Western populations. The large number of syndromic CL/P and associated comorbidities supports the need for specialized cleft centers and interdisciplinary cleft care.

Current Perspectives on Cleft Lip and Palate and Children's Health

Orofacial clefts are the most prevalent craniofacial congenital anomalies, affecting the lip, with or without involvement of the palate, or solely the palate [...].