Arhiva istraživanja

The Timing of Primary Surgery (TOPS) trial was published August 2023 in the New England Journal of Medicine. This perspective article reviews the design and analysis of the trial, which compared palate closure at 6 months versus 12 months of age. After 5 years, speech differences were measurable but clinically modest.

This systematic review (2014-2024) investigates how different surgical techniques influence speech outcomes in children with cleft palate. Early closure of the hard palate was linked to improved consonant articulation. However, surgical technique and subsequent speech therapy substantially modulate these outcomes. No single protocol showed uniform superiority.

Systematic review and meta-analysis comparing the Oslo protocol and delayed hard palate closure protocols in 4,831 UCLP patients. Oslo protocol showed favourable speech outcomes at 5 years; DHPCP showed better midfacial growth at 12 years. No overall superior protocol was identified.

SARPE (surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion) is performed to address transverse maxillary hypoplasia in patients with cleft and craniofacial diagnoses. This study analyses outcomes in patients with cleft lip and palate, craniosynostosis, and other craniofacial diagnoses undergoing SARPE.

This systematic review and meta-analysis compared three UCLP treatment protocols: one-stage palatoplasty (OSPP), Oslo protocol, and delayed hard palate closure (DHPCP) in 6,463 patients across 162 studies. VPI incidence was significantly higher in Oslo (24%) versus DHPCP (9%), with OSPP intermediate (14%). Oronasal fistula rates were lower for OSPP and Oslo. Overall, OSPP and Oslo are favoured over DHPCP.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of 1,774 VPI patients across 31 studies comparing five surgical techniques: pharyngeal flap, sphincter pharyngoplasty, Furlow Z-plasty, buccal flap, and buccinator flap. Furlow palatoplasty showed the highest average improvement rate (85%), followed by pharyngeal flap (84.5%). Pharyngeal flap was associated with higher obstructive sleep apnea rates.

Systematic review and meta-analysis comparing the risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) following pharyngeal flap versus non-pharyngeal flap VPI procedures (751 subjects, 4 studies). Pharyngeal flap use was associated with a significantly greater risk of OSA (pooled risk ratio 2.45). Palatal lengthening procedures had a significantly lower OSA risk.

Retrospective study of 109 patients with cleft lip comparing patient-reported outcomes (CLEFT-Q) in those who did or did not undergo primary rhinoplasty at time of lip repair. Primary rhinoplasty was associated with improved self-perception of nasal appearance in school-aged children (CLEFT-Q nose score 75 vs 57). Patients without primary rhinoplasty were significantly more likely to undergo secondary rhinoplasty later.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of 65 studies (4,337 records screened) on primary rhinoplasty effectiveness in cleft lip. Primary rhinoplasty was significantly more effective than cleft repair alone (RR 1.87). Success rate 73.6% for unilateral, 88% for bilateral cases. Only 14% required additional surgeries for unilateral deformities.

Reliability study of speech variables in the Swedish quality registry for cleft lip and palate. 121 ten-year-olds with CLP assessed by 6 independent raters. Excellent reliability for percentage of consonants correct (ICC 0.93) and non-oral errors (ICC 0.80). Findings support use of standardised speech assessment in clinical quality registers.