ENHANCING STRATEGIES TO PREVENT POSTOPERATIVE COMPLICATIONS IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS WITH CONGENITAL CLEFT PALATE

Аннотация

Congenital cleft palate is one of the most prevalent craniofacial birth defects, characterized by an opening in the roof of the mouth due to incomplete fusion of the palatal shelves during embryological development. This anomaly affects approximately 1 in 700 live births worldwide and is associated with significant functional, aesthetic, and psychosocial consequences. Children born with cleft palate often experience difficulties with feeding, speech articulation, hearing, and dental development. The condition can also lead to social stigma and emotional challenges for both the affected children and their families. Surgical repair, typically performed within the first 6 to 18 months of life, is the cornerstone of cleft palate treatment. The primary objective of cleft palate surgery is to restore normal anatomy, particularly the separation between the nasal and oral cavities, thereby enabling proper speech development and reducing the risk of otitis media. Despite advancements in surgical techniques, anesthesia, and perioperative care, postoperative complications remain a considerable concern. These complications include oronasal fistula formation, wound dehiscence, infection, bleeding, and velopharyngeal insufficiency, which can severely impact speech and swallowing function and may require additional surgical interventions.