A Preoperative Appliance for a Newborn With Cleft Palate

Karayazgan B., Gunay Y., Gurbuzer B., Erkan M., Atay A.

CLEFT PALATE-CRANIOFACIAL JOURNAL, cilt.46, sa.1, ss.53-57, 2009 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 46 Sayı: 1
  • Basım Tarihi: 2009
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1597/07-093.1
  • Dergi Adı: CLEFT PALATE-CRANIOFACIAL JOURNAL
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.53-57
  • İstanbul Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Cleft palate is a commonly observed congenital maxillofacial defect. One of the most important problems with clefts is the interference with feeding. An affected infant cannot produce negative pressure in the oral cavity and therefore cannot move the bolus backward to the pharynx. To obtain better nutritional intake prior to surgical correction, a palatal lift obturator is recommended. In this clinical report, a modified technique of obturator fabrication is presented. The new method uses a piece of tulle, a flexible and durable material that is frequently used in theater attire. With the help of this material, the bulb part is connected to the plate as a labile piece, and this connection acts like a natural velopharyngeal extension. Additionally, because of the softer property of the silicone elastomer, the posterior pharyngeal wall is less irritated.