Our Summary

This research paper is about a study carried out to assess a surgical technique used for the repair of cleft lip, a type of facial birth defect. The technique, called the anatomical subunit technique, has been gaining popularity worldwide.

The study analysed 114 cases of cleft lip surgeries performed by one surgeon over a nearly five-year period. Out of these, 82 cases met the criteria for further analysis. The average age of the patients at the time of surgery was approximately 8 months.

The results of the study showed that the anatomical subunit technique was very effective. Only 7% of patients needed revision surgery, which means for the majority, the first surgery was successful. The study also found high levels of satisfaction from parents regarding the appearance of the scar and the overall aesthetic result of the nose and lip after the surgery.

Interestingly, over half of the children in the study were born from marriages between closely related individuals. This suggests that in Oman, where the study took place, there may be a need for more awareness and counselling before marriage about the potential risks of birth defects.

FAQs

  1. What is the anatomical subunit technique used for?
  2. How effective was the anatomical subunit technique according to the study?
  3. What was the implication of the finding that over half of the children in the study were born from marriages between closely related individuals?

Doctor’s Tip

One helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about cleft lip repair is to follow all post-operative care instructions closely to ensure proper healing and optimal results. This may include keeping the surgical site clean, avoiding certain foods or activities that could disrupt healing, and attending follow-up appointments as scheduled. It’s also important to communicate any concerns or changes in the healing process to the medical team promptly.

Suitable For

Typically, patients recommended for cleft lip repair are infants and children born with a cleft lip deformity. Cleft lip is a common birth defect that occurs when the tissue that forms the lip does not completely join during fetal development, resulting in a gap or opening in the upper lip.

Cleft lip repair is usually recommended to improve the child’s appearance, speech, and ability to eat properly. It is important to perform the surgery at an early age to prevent complications such as speech and feeding difficulties, as well as to minimize the impact on the child’s emotional well-being.

In the study mentioned above, the average age of the patients at the time of surgery was approximately 8 months, which is in line with the recommendation to perform cleft lip repair in infancy. However, cleft lip repair can also be performed in older children and adults, depending on the individual case and the surgeon’s recommendation.

Overall, patients recommended for cleft lip repair are those who have a cleft lip deformity that is impacting their quality of life and who would benefit from surgical intervention to improve their appearance and function.

Timeline

Before cleft lip repair:

  • Patient is born with a cleft lip, a facial birth defect
  • Parents consult with doctors and specialists to determine the best course of treatment
  • Patient undergoes pre-operative evaluations and tests to assess their overall health and readiness for surgery
  • Surgery is scheduled, usually when the patient is around 8 months old
  • Parents receive pre-operative instructions and guidance on how to prepare for the surgery

After cleft lip repair:

  • Surgery is performed using the anatomical subunit technique
  • Patient recovers in the hospital for a few days post-surgery
  • Doctors monitor the patient for any complications or issues during the healing process
  • Patient may experience some swelling and discomfort in the days following surgery
  • Parents are given post-operative care instructions to ensure proper healing and recovery
  • Follow-up appointments are scheduled to monitor the progress of the healing and assess the final outcome of the surgery
  • Patient and parents report high levels of satisfaction with the aesthetic results of the surgery
  • In some cases, revision surgery may be needed, but overall, the anatomical subunit technique proves to be effective in repairing cleft lips.

What to Ask Your Doctor

Some questions a patient should ask their doctor about cleft lip repair include:

  1. What is the anatomical subunit technique and why is it being recommended for my case?
  2. How many cleft lip surgeries have you performed using this technique?
  3. What are the potential risks and complications associated with cleft lip repair surgery?
  4. What is the expected outcome of the surgery in terms of appearance and function?
  5. Will my child need any additional surgeries or treatments in the future?
  6. What is the recovery process like and how can I best support my child during this time?
  7. Are there any long-term effects or considerations we should be aware of?
  8. How soon after birth can cleft lip repair surgery be performed?
  9. Are there any lifestyle changes or precautions we should take before or after the surgery?
  10. Are there any support groups or resources available for families dealing with cleft lip and palate?

Reference

Authors: Al Hashmi S, Al Wahaibi M, Varghese SP, Al Abri M, Shummo MA, Al Muqbali B. Journal: Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 2022 Aug;22(3):387-392. doi: 10.18295/squmj.8.2021.108. Epub 2022 Aug 25. PMID: 36072078