Raymond W Tse1,2, Babette Siebold1,2. 1. Seattle, Wash. 2. From the Division of Craniofacial and Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, and the Division of Craniofacial Medicine, Seattle Children's Hospital; and the Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Washington.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Fistulas following cleft palate repair impair speech, health, and hygiene and occur in up to 35 percent of cases. The authors detail the evolution of a surgical approach to palatoplasty; assess the rates, causes, and predictive factors of fistulas; and examine the temporal association of modifications to fistula rates. METHODS: Consecutive patients (n = 146) undergoing palatoplasty during the first 6 years of practice were included. The technique of repair was based on cleft type, and a common surgical approach was used for all repairs. RESULTS: The fistula rate was 2.4 percent (n = 125) after primary repair and 0 percent (n = 21) after secondary repair. All complications occurred in patients with type III or IV clefts. Cleft width and cleft-to-total palatal width ratio were associated with fistulas, whereas syndromes, age, and adoption were not. Most complications could also be attributed to technical factors. During the first 2 years, modifications were made around specific anatomical features, including periarticular bony hillocks, maxillopalatine suture, velopalatine pits, and tensor insertion. The fistula rate declined by one-half in subsequent years. CONCLUSIONS: The authors describe a surgical approach to cleft palate repair, its evolution, and surgically relevant anatomy. Fistulas were associated with increasing cleft severity but could also be attributed to technical factors. A reduction in frequency and severity of fistulas was consistent with a learning curve and may in part be associated with modifications to the surgical approach. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.
BACKGROUND: Fistulas following cleft palate repair impair speech, health, and hygiene and occur in up to 35 percent of cases. The authors detail the evolution of a surgical approach to palatoplasty; assess the rates, causes, and predictive factors of fistulas; and examine the temporal association of modifications to fistula rates. METHODS: Consecutive patients (n = 146) undergoing palatoplasty during the first 6 years of practice were included. The technique of repair was based on cleft type, and a common surgical approach was used for all repairs. RESULTS: The fistula rate was 2.4 percent (n = 125) after primary repair and 0 percent (n = 21) after secondary repair. All complications occurred in patients with type III or IV clefts. Cleft width and cleft-to-total palatal width ratio were associated with fistulas, whereas syndromes, age, and adoption were not. Most complications could also be attributed to technical factors. During the first 2 years, modifications were made around specific anatomical features, including periarticular bony hillocks, maxillopalatine suture, velopalatine pits, and tensor insertion. The fistula rate declined by one-half in subsequent years. CONCLUSIONS: The authors describe a surgical approach to cleft palate repair, its evolution, and surgically relevant anatomy. Fistulas were associated with increasing cleft severity but could also be attributed to technical factors. A reduction in frequency and severity of fistulas was consistent with a learning curve and may in part be associated with modifications to the surgical approach. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.
Authors: Hilary McCrary; Sarah Hatch Pollard; Vanessa Torrecillas; Leon Khong; Helene M Taylor; Jeremy Meier; Harlan Muntz; Jonathan Skirko Journal: Cleft Palate Craniofac J Date: 2020-03-24