2023-05-14 19:00:08
- This malformation has an incidence of 1.39 cases per thousand people born alive in Mexico and affects men and women equally.
- It can be corrected from the first months of the patient’s life with surgery and pre-surgical orthopedic treatment.
- In a complementary way, there are rehabilitation therapies to avoid permanent sequelae and also help the proper development of language and improve self-esteem.
So far this 2023, 50 girls and boys who were born with Cleft lip and palate have undergone surgery in the Reconstructive Plastic Surgery service of the General Hospital of Mexico (HGM) “Eduardo Liceaga”.
The general director of this hospital, Guadalupe Mercedes Lucia Guerrero Avendanohighlighted that multidisciplinary care with personnel from different specialties has made a difference for patients and their families.
“Surgical intervention improves the quality of life for these patients because it gives them the opportunity to grow up healthy and happy, which in turn contributes positively to their communities.”
This congenital craniofacial condition, The first cause of head and neck malformations in the country, it generates feeding and speaking difficulties. While reconstructive surgery, comprehensive care and rehabilitation therapies prevent permanent sequelae, help the proper development of language and improve self-esteem.
Specialists in reconstructive surgery, orthodontics, speech therapy, speech therapy, nutrition and psychology, among others, intervene in multidisciplinary care.
Why is cleft lip and palate generated?
Cleft lip and palate occurs during fetal development. In some cases, the soft palate does not close tightly against the back of the throat, causing air to escape through the nose during speech. In medical terms it is known as velopharyngeal insufficiency.
Genetic factors, deficiency of B vitamins such as folic acid, consumption of alcohol, psychoactive substances and tobacco during pregnancy, as well as prolonged exposure to chemicals are factors that influence the development of this malformation.
The general director indicated that it can be corrected from the first months of life with surgery and pre-surgical orthopedic treatment by placing dental plates between seven and 15 days after birth.
Incidence in Mexico and the rest of the world
He made it known that the The incidence of this malformation is 1.39 cases per thousand people born alive, and it affects men and women equally. Globally, it is estimated to be one in every 700 births.
He mentioned that, in the Ministry of Health, the General Hospitals of Mexico “Dr. Eduardo Liceaga”, “Dr. Manuel Gea González”, Juárez de México, Infantil de México and the National Institutes of Rehabilitation (INR) and Pediatrics (INP) also provide excellent comprehensive care.
Guerrero Avendaño stressed that, due to the importance of medical updating, the HGM will hold the first theoretical-practical international seminar on the treatment of velopharyngeal insufficiency, with the aim of updating their knowledge of specialists in maxillofacial and reconstructive plastic surgery, speech therapy, audiology, speech therapy, radiology, psychology and orthodontics, as well as medical residents.
Also read:
5 relevant facts about cleft lip and palate that you should know
Factors related to the prevalence of cleft lip and palate
Mexican doctor joins the world’s most important Cleft Lip and Palate organization
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