Our Summary

This study is about a training program that was set up in Syria to teach doctors how to perform surgeries on children with cleft lip and palate deformities. These conditions are often left untreated in places like Syria where there is ongoing conflict and a lack of skilled surgeons. The training program included teaching sessions and practice surgeries. Before the training, nearly all of the doctors had never done these types of surgeries on their own. After the training, the doctors felt much more confident about performing these surgeries. The results of this study suggest that this type of training program could be a good way to help doctors in low-income countries learn how to do these surgeries. The study also suggests that charity organizations should continue to support these types of training programs.

FAQs

  1. What was the focus of the training program set up in Syria?
  2. How did the training program impact doctors’ abilities to perform surgeries for cleft lip and palate deformities?
  3. What are the implications of the study’s results for charity organizations and doctors in low-income countries?

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. By following these instructions, patients can help ensure a successful recovery and improve the overall outcome of their cleft lip repair surgery.

Suitable For

Patients who are typically recommended cleft lip repair are infants and children who are born with a cleft lip deformity. Cleft lip is a common birth defect that occurs when the tissue that forms the lip does not join completely before birth, resulting in a gap or opening in the upper lip. Cleft lip repair is usually recommended within the first few months of life to improve the child’s ability to eat, speak, and breathe properly.

In addition, patients with cleft palate deformities, which involve a gap in the roof of the mouth, may also be recommended for cleft lip repair surgery. Cleft palate repair is typically performed when the child is older, usually between 9 and 18 months of age, to improve speech development and prevent issues with eating and drinking.

Overall, patients with cleft lip and palate deformities can benefit greatly from cleft lip repair surgery to improve their overall quality of life and function.

Timeline

Before cleft lip repair:

  1. Diagnosis of cleft lip and/or palate deformity in the patient
  2. Consultation with a plastic surgeon to discuss treatment options
  3. Pre-operative evaluations and tests to ensure the patient is healthy enough for surgery
  4. Scheduling of the cleft lip repair surgery

After cleft lip repair:

  1. Surgery to repair the cleft lip performed by a skilled plastic surgeon
  2. Post-operative care and monitoring to ensure proper healing and minimize complications
  3. Follow-up appointments with the surgeon to check on the progress of the healing process
  4. Speech therapy and/or other therapies to address any speech or feeding issues caused by the cleft lip deformity
  5. Long-term follow-up care to monitor for any potential complications or need for additional surgeries.

What to Ask Your Doctor

  1. What is a cleft lip and how does it affect my child’s health and appearance?
  2. What are the potential risks and complications associated with cleft lip repair surgery?
  3. How experienced are you in performing cleft lip repair surgeries?
  4. What is the success rate of cleft lip repair surgeries?
  5. What is the recovery process like for my child after cleft lip repair surgery?
  6. Will my child need additional surgeries or treatments in the future?
  7. Are there any long-term effects of cleft lip repair surgery that I should be aware of?
  8. How can I best care for my child’s surgical incision site to promote healing?
  9. Are there any resources or support groups available for families of children with cleft lip and palate deformities?
  10. How soon after birth should cleft lip repair surgery be performed?

Reference

Authors: Borg TM, Solomon S, Alfarrouh R, Barazi W, Abu Sittah G, Sommerlad B, Ghanem A. Journal: Cleft Palate Craniofac J. 2024 Apr;61(4):706-711. doi: 10.1177/10556656221136650. Epub 2022 Nov 4. PMID: 36330704