Abstract:

Objective: The purpose of this study was to summarize some experience in surgical treatment of cleft palate of infants. Methods: In this study, a total of 531 cases of infants with different subtypes of cleft palate, aged 2 to 12 months, treated with an operation were retrospected. The time of operation, blood loss during operation, and complications were analyzed. Results: The time of operation and blood loss during operation was related with the width of clefts (each F < 0.05) . When compared with the conventional procedures, which required the age of infants must over 1 year, infants with cleft palate was operated before one year had the advantage of less blood loss during operation and lower incidence of fistula. But there was no significant difference in bleeding after operation, time of operation and death rates due to surgery. However, the latter had higher incidence of obstruction airway. Conclusion: Palatoplasty in infants is safe and beneficial, if the electric surgical technique is good, and indications of operation can be properly considered.

Key words: palatoplasty, infants, complication