Cleft Lip and Palate Management by U.K. Consultant Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons: A National Survey

Abstract Objective: Following the report of the Clinical Standards Advisory Group (CSAG), a national survey of U.K. consultant oral and maxillofacial surgeons was performed to determine the current cleft lip and palate practice of this group prior to the implementation of proposed radical changes in the delivery of cleft services. The views of these surgeons regarding the proposed changes was also sought. Design: An anonymous postal questionnaire sent to all 266 consultants in the U.K., which requested information on the practice of cleft surgery during a defined 1-year period (March 1997 through February 1998). It included the numbers and types of procedures performed, the involvement of multidisciplinary care, research and audit activity, and questions regarding the implementation of CSAG. Results: One hundred ninety-one replies (72% response rate). Seventy-three surgeons were actively involved with mainly secondary cleft surgery. A varied number and range of procedures were undertaken, with most surgeo...