The goal of the present study is to definitely determine whether the use of acellular dermal matrix (ADM) during primary cleft palate repair decreases the rate of fistula formation. Although individual studies have described promising advantages to its use in cleft palate surgery, no consensus currently exists. Without concrete evidence, one must question the whether the increased cost, time and potential patient risk (human derived tissue) to patients justifies its use in primary cleft palate repair.
There has been a change in the standard practice at the Montreal Children's Hospital where the senior author has shifted from selected application of ADM in certain cases to routine use of ADM in all cleft palate cases. This study is an observational study comparing a prospective cohort group receiving ADM routinely to a retrospective historical cohort group without routine use of ADM. Objectives of the study: Primary objectives: The primary objective of this study is to determine whether routine use of ADM would lower the incidence of palatal fistula in patients undergoing primary cleft palate repair. Secondary objectives: 1. Incidence of wound dehiscence 2. Incidence of wound infection 3. Hospital length of stay
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
131
Montreal Children's Hospital
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Fistula Formation
Number of patients who developed post palatoplasty fistula
Time frame: Within 1 year of surgery
Number of Participants With Wound Infection
Number of Participants with Wound Infection post cleft palate repair
Time frame: Within 1 year of surgery
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