Cleft Lip and Palate Flashcards

Cleft Lip and Palate Management and Embryology

• A 16-month-old boy post-correction of complete unilateral cleft lip requires continued optimal scar management due to good initial results despite mother's concerns.
• A 25-year-old pregnant woman with a history of cleft lip and palate has a 14% risk of a subsequent child also being affected, following her first child's condition.

Surgical Techniques and Muscle Function

• A sphincter pharyngoplasty, using the palatopharyngeus muscle, is employed to treat velopharyngeal insufficiency.
• Repair of the levator veli palatini during cleft palate reconstruction can significantly enhance eustachian tube function, reducing chronic otitis media occurrences.

Embryonic Development

• Nasal structures form around the sixth week of gestation, with nasal alae arising from lateral nasal processes, and the medial nasal processes forming nasal tip and columella.
• The Veau classification rates cleft palates, with a Veau II cleft involving both the hard and soft palate, while Veau I, III, and IV classify varying degrees of clefting.

Nasoalveolar Molding and Growth Considerations

• Nasoalveolar molding aims to lengthen the columella and align premaxilla with alveolar segments, correcting associated nasal deformities.
• In evaluating maxillary growth completion, serial cephalometric x-ray studies provide the best indication, as chronological age and dental eruption have limitations.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Cleft Patients

• A 7-year-old boy with cleft lip/palate shows signs of obstructive sleep apnea; CPAP is the best initial treatment due to the risks associated with surgical options.
• Persistent velopharyngeal insufficiency after cleft palate repair necessitates examination, with video nasal endoscopy being the preferred diagnostic tool.

Genetic Factors in Clefting

• The IRF6 gene mutation is associated with van der Woude syndrome, which features lower lip pits and clefts, highlighting the genetic connections to cleft conditions.

Muscle Implications in Eustachian Tube Function

• Dysfunctional eustachian tube drainage in a child with unilateral cleft lip and palate can typically be traced to the function of the tensor veli palatini muscle, emphasizing its role in ear health.

Cleft Palate Muscle Functions

• Tensor muscle insertion is abnormal in cleft palate, leading to increased ear Eustachian tube dysfunction.
• Levator veli palatini is crucial for velopharyngeal closure, responsible for velar elevation and retrodisplacement.
• Palatopharyngeus controls the velopharyngeal sphincter, modulating velar size, shape, and position.
• Palatoglossus aids in modulating speech by facilitating velar depression and tongue elevation.
• Superior constrictor is vital for pharyngeal closure during swallowing and speech processes.

Velopharyngeal Insufficiency Management in Children

• Velopharyngeal insufficiency may arise after cleft palate surgery; issues often necessitate targeted muscle treatment.
• Palatopharyngeus muscle is instrumental in sphincter pharyngoplasty procedures, which enhance separation of oropharynx from nasopharynx.

Facial Changes Post-Operative Adjustments

• Le Fort I advancement can lead to significant facial alterations:
  • Increased midfacial projection
  • Increased upper lip vermilion fullness
  • Altered nasolabial angle
  • Increased depth of nasolabial folds and changes in tooth display

Cleft Lip and Palate Management in Infants

• Priority in managing unilateral complete cleft lip and palate is to repair the palate first, especially if the lip repair was previously done.
• Delaying palate repair past 18 months can result in poorer speech outcomes and higher complication rates.

Secondary Alveolar Bone Grafting Timing

• Ideal timing for secondary alveolar bone grafting is determined by crown emergence of the permanent canine, ensuring adequate bone support.
• Bone grafting is best performed before the canine fully erupts to avoid root complications.

Persistent Velopharyngeal Insufficiency Treatment

• In cases of hypothonia leading to persistent hypernasality, a custom palatal elevator serves as an effective solution to aid speech by closing the nasal passage.
• Surgical options such as fat grafting or further pharyngeal surgeries are less likely to improve outcomes in neurogenic cases.

Common Stigmas After Cleft Lip Repair

• A short lip is a frequent outcome of rotation-advancement repairs due to inadequate rotation.
• Other potential outcomes include elongation of the lip, blunting of the Cupid's bow, and scarring patterns largely depend on the specific surgical technique employed.

Test your knowledge on the management of cleft lip and palate conditions with these flashcards. This quiz focuses on clinical scenarios and appropriate interventions. Perfect for medical students and health professionals interested in pediatric care.