Cleft lip and palate –⁠ current management in the Czech Republic

Overview

Clefts are among the most common congenital anomalies. The management of patients with orofacial clefts is multidisciplinary and requires long-term care. The plastic surgeon is responsible for primary repair of the lip and palate, possible alveolar bone grafting, and subsequent corrective procedures, including secondary rhinoplasty. The otorhinolaryngologist focuses on the prevention and management of hearing impairment associated with Eustachian tube dysfunction. In indicated cases, the orthodontist provides presurgical orthopedics in newborns and initiate orthodontic treatment no later than during the mixed dentition period. Speech therapist is involved from the neonatal period through to the correction of speech disorders during the school years. The maxillofacial surgeon performs alveolar bone grafting and orthognathic procedures. The roles of prenatal diagnosticians, geneticists, psychologists, and many other specialists are also indispensable.

Keywords:

Otorhinolaryngology – cleft lip – cleft palate – Eustachian tube dysfunction – plastic surgery – speech therapy – cleft – cleft surgery – maxilofacial surgery