3 Clinical Trials for Various Conditions
Cleft Lip and Palate surgical repair is one of the most common procedures performed by Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons in the World. With this in mind, it is curious that no consensus exists regarding the usage of postoperative antibiotics or the effects this might have on wound complications such as cellulitis, dehiscence, or fistula formation. The surgical bed in cleft lip/palate repair is known to harbor a myriad of pathological organisms, indeed the human bite is one of the more clinically and microbiologically significant injuries to treat. This research study is to elucidate the role, if any, that prophylactic antibiotics have in the prevention of complications post cleft palate (CP) and VPI repair and potentially establish a new paradigm of care.
When the soft palate does not move enough because of a cleft palate or for unknown reasons, this can lead to a speech difference called velopharyngeal insufficiency. The purpose of this research study is to test if soft palate exercises using a hand help breathing device will help improve the ability of the soft palate to close the area between the throat and nose and help improve speech.
Elevation of the soft palate (the soft part of the roof of the mouth) during swallowing helps the Eustachian tube to open and keep the ear healthy. (The Eustachian tube is the normal tube running from the middle ear to the back of the nose and throat). When the soft palate does not move enough (due to a history of cleft palate or for unknown reasons), this can lead to speech problems. Also, because the Eustachian tube is not opening enough, fluid can accumulate in the middle ear, which requires treatment with ear tubes. The goal of this research study is to determine if soft palate exercises will help improve the ability of the soft palate to close the area between the throat and nose, like it is supposed to during speech and swallowing, and if this improves Eustachian tube opening.