Cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CP) is one of the most common congenital malformations. Ultrasonographers involved in the routine 20-wk ultrasound screening could encounter these malformations. The face and palate develop in a very characteristic way. For ultrasonographers involved in screening these patients it is crucial to have a thorough understanding of the embryology of the face. This could help them to make a more accurate diagnosis and save time during the ultrasound. Subsequently, the current postnatal classification will be discussed to facilitate the communication with the CP teams.

ObjectiveOtitis media with effusion is common in infants with an unrepaired cleft palate. Although its prevalence is reduced after cleft surgery, many children continue to suffer from middle ear problems during childhood. While the tensor veli palatini muscle is thought to be involved in middle ear ventilation, evidence about its exact anatomy, function, and role in cleft palate surgery is limited.This study aimed to perform a thorough review of the literature on (1) the role of the tensor veli palatini muscle in the Eustachian tube opening and middle ear ventilation, (2) anatomical anomalies in cleft palate infants related to middle ear disease, and (3) their implications for surgical techniques used in cleft palate repair.Materials and methodsA literature search on the MEDLINE database was performed using a combination of the keywords “tensor veli palatini muscle,” “Eustachian tube,” “otitis media with effusion,” and “cleft palate.”ResultsSeveral studies confirm the important role of the tensor veli palatini muscle in the Eustachian tube opening mechanism. Maintaining the integrity of the tensor veli palatini muscle during cleft palate surgery seems to improve long-term otological outcome. However, anatomical variations in cleft palate children may alter the effect of the tensor veli palatini muscle on the Eustachian tube’s dilatation mechanism.ConclusionMore research is warranted to clarify the role of the tensor veli palatini muscle in cleft palate-associated Eustachian tube dysfunction and development of middle ear problems.Clinical relevanceOptimized surgical management of cleft palate could potentially reduce associated middle ear problems.

Objectives The submucous cleft palate (SMCP) is considered to be the most subtle type of cleft palate. Early detection is important to allow on time intervention by speech therapy and/or surgical repair before the children already develop compensatory speech mechanisms. The purpose of this study was to investigate at what time children with a SMCP present, to determine when children are operated, and to analyze the postoperative outcomes for in SMCP children. Patient and methods Medical records from 766 individuals registered in the cleft registry in the Wilhelmina’s Children’s’ Hospital, Utrecht, were retrospectively reviewed. Inclusion criteria were children diagnosed with SMCP. The following data were collected: age at diagnosis, physical examination, age at surgery, surgical technique, speech therapy pre- and post-surgery, otitis media, secondary cleft surgery, family history, syndromes, and other anomalies. Results In total, 56 SMCP children were identified. The mean age of diagnosis was 44.0 months (range 0–150, SD = 37.0). In 48 children (85.7%), surgical intervention was performed (Furlow plasty, intravelar veloplasty, pharyngoplasty, or Furlow combined with buccal flap). Conclusion This retrospective study reconfirms that SMCP often presents late, even in a country with a modern healthcare system and adequate follow-up of all newborns by the so-called youth doctors in “children’s healthcare centers” up to the age of 4 years old. Almost 86% of patients ultimately needed palate surgery when SMCP was suspected. Clinical relevance Any child presenting with repeated episodes of otitis media, nasal regurgitation, or speech difficulties should have prompt consideration for SMCP as diagnosis.

ObjectivesInitial approaches to and treatments of infants with Robin sequence (RS) is diverse and inconsistent. The care of these sometimes critically ill infants involves many different medical specialties, which can make the decision process complex and difficult. To optimize the care of infants with RS, we present our institution’s approach and a review of the current literature.Material and methodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted among 75 infants diagnosed with RS and managed at our institution in the 1996–2012 period. Additionally, the conducted treatment regimen in this paper was discussed with recent literature describing the approach of infants with RS.ResultsForty-four infants (59 %) were found to have been treated conservatively. A significant larger proportion of nonisolated RS infants than isolated RS infants needed surgical intervention (53 vs. 25 %, p = .014). A mandibular distraction was conducted in 24 % (n = 18) of cases, a tracheotomy in 9 % (n = 7), and a tongue–lip adhesion in 8 % (n = 6). Seventy-seven percent of all infants had received temporary nasogastric tube feeding. The literature review of 31 studies showed that initial examinations and the indications to perform a surgical intervention varied and were often not clearly described.ConclusionsRS is a heterogenic group with a wide spectrum of associated anomalies. As a result, the decisional process is challenging, and a multidisciplinary approach to treatment is desirable. Current treatment options in literature vary, and a more uniform approach is recommended.Clinical RelevanceWe provide a comprehensive and pragmatic approach to the analysis and treatment of infants with RS, which could serve as useful guidance in other clinics.

No abstract

ObjectivesThroat packs are commonly used to prevent ingestion or aspiration of blood and other debris during cleft lip/palate surgery. However, dislodgement or (partial) retainment after extubation could have serious consequences. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of omitting pharyngeal packing during cleft lip/palate surgery on the incidence of early postoperative complications in children.Materials and methodsA retrospective study was performed on all children who underwent cleft lip/palate surgery at the Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital. This study compared the period January 2010 through December 2012 when pharyngeal packing was applied according to local protocol (group A) with the period January 2013 till December 2015 when pharyngeal packing was no longer applied after removal from the protocol (group B). Data were collected for sex, age at operation, cleft lip/palate type, type of repair, lateral incisions, length of hospital stay, and complications in the first 6 weeks after surgery. Early complications included wound dehiscence, postoperative bleeding, infection, fever, upper respiratory tract infection (URTI), and lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI).ResultsThis study included 489 cleft lip/palate operations (group A n = 246, group B n = 243). A total of 39 (15.9%) early complications were recorded in group A and a total of 40 (16.5%) in group B. There were no significant differences (P = 0.902) in complications between the two groups; however, there was a significant difference (P < 0.001) in length of hospital stay between the two groups (group A 3.6 days vs group B 3.2 days).ConclusionOmitting routine placement of throat packs in cleft lip/palate surgery was not associated with an increased early postoperative complication rate. Therefore, the traditional, routine placement of a throat pack during cleft lip/palate surgery can be questioned.Clinical relevanceThe traditional, routine placement of a throat pack during cleft lip/palate surgery can be questioned.

No abstract

Objectives To facilitate the best approach during cleft palate surgery, children are positioned with hyperextension of the neck. Extensive head extension may induce intraoperative cerebral ischemia if collateral flow is insufficient. To evaluate and monitor the effect of cerebral blood flow on cerebral tissue oxygenation, near-infrared spectroscopy has proved to be a valuable method. The aim of this study was to evaluate and quantify whether hyperextension affects the cerebral tissue oxygenation in children during cleft palate surgery. Materials and methods This prospective study included children (ASA 1 and 2) under the age of 3 years old who underwent cleft palate repair at the Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, in The Netherlands. Data were collected for date of birth, cleft type, date of cleft repair, and physiological parameters (MAP, saturation, heart rate, expiratory CO 2 and O 2 , temperature, and cerebral blood oxygenation) during surgery. The cerebral blood oxygenation was measured with NIRS. Results Thirty-four children were included in this study. The majority of the population was male (61.8%, n = 21). The mixed model analyses showed a significant drop at time of Rose position of − 4.25 (69-74 95% CI; p < 0.001) and − 4.39 (69-74 95% CI; p < 0.001). Postoperatively, none of the children displayed any neurological disturbance. Conclusion This study suggests that hyperextension of the head during cleft palate surgery leads to a significant decrease in cerebral oxygenation. Severe cerebral desaturation events during surgery were uncommon and do not seem to be of clinical relevance in ASA 1 and 2 children. Clinical relevance There was a significant drop in cerebral oxygenation after positioning however it is not clear whether this drop is truly significant physiologically in ASA 1 and 2 patients.