Cleft Palate Repair: A Comparative Study Between Two Surgical Procedures

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to categorize and compare outcomes and sequels in 2 groups of patients born with unilateral and bilateral complete cleft lip/palate, having their primary cleft palate repair performed in our hospital, by the same surgical team, during 2 different periods of time, to establish which of the 2 surgical reconstructive strategies employed was more effective to decrease sequels. MATERIAL AND METHODS This is a randomized clinical trial including a total of 291, nonsyndromic patients, primary assisted in our Hospital, between 2002 and 2013, and operated by the same senior surgeon.Two groups of patients of similar characteristics were treated utilizing 2 different surgical procedures according to the considered period. Isolated palates, syndromic patients, secondary and adult cases were considered as exclusion critters. Surgical data was obtained from medical records, and clinical examinations. All the patients were cautiously evaluated by a team expert to verify results, evolution, and sequels. RESULTS Statistically significant differences in the total percentage of complications were found between both groups. Group A: 54.85% and Group B: 21.90% (P value < 0.001).Each complication was also considered by groups and estimated as follow: CONCLUSIONS:: Based on the results of our research, we can suggest the Carstens' variant plus the introduced modifications by the authors, as a useful surgical procedure to be utilized in primary complete unilateral or bilateral cleft palate repair to prevent post op common complications.