Treatment Outcomes of 4 to 7-Year-Old Patients with Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate in Tawanchai Center, Srinagarind Hospital
Pradubwong S, MSN1, Pongpagatip S, MA1, Winaikosol K, MD2, Jenwiteesuk K, MD2, Surakunprapha P, MD2, Chowchuen B, MD, MBA2
Affiliation : 1 Division of Nursing, Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Khon University, Khon Kaen, Thailand 2 Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Background : Cleft lip and palate (CLP) are congenital deformities which require interdisciplinary team care and appropriate surgery
to achieve best outcomes.
Objective : Our aim was to study the treatment and surgical outcomes in patients with CLP, according to the protocol of the Tawanchai
Center.
Materials and Methods : This was a descriptive study of 93 patients with CLP between 4 and 7 years of age under treatment at the
Tawanchai Center, Srinagarind Hospital. Data regarding general information, surgery, treatment, and rehabilitation were collected
using records kept by the interdisciplinary team. Percentage and content analysis were determined from these data.
Results : There were 93 patients between 4 and 7 years of age who underwent CLP surgery. Fifty-six of the patients were male
(74.2%). Four cases had late cleft lip operation (4.3%) and 3 had late cleft palate operation (3.23%). Nineteen cases had post-
operative fistula (20.9%). All of the patients received treatment with 11 disciplines of the interdisciplinary team. The data revealed
the maximum number of patient visits was 1,123 times (26.41%) for assessment, surgery, nursing care, and follow-up following
the protocols.
Conclusion : Ninety patients between 4 and 7 years underwent cheiloplasty and palatoplasty following the protocol (95.7 and 96.8%,
respectively). There was no wound separation post-operative cheiloplasty but palatoplasty had fistula 20.9%. Medical service with
complete by interdisciplinary team reached 92.5%. The interdisciplinary team and nurse coordinator aim to develop medical
accessibility so that patients would receive treatment with every discipline.
Keywords : Tawanchai center, Cleft lip and cleft palate, Interdisciplinary team
