Treatment of 4-5 Year Old Patients with Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate in Tawanchai Center
Suteera Pradubwong MSN*, Kanittha Volrathongchai PhD**, Bowornsilp Chowchuen MD, MBA***
Affiliation : * Division of Nursing, Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand ** Faculty of Nursing, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand *** Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Background : The occurrence of Cleft Lip/Palate condition in Thailand reaches a rate of 2.49% of child births, with estimates
of 800 new cases per year in the Northeastern region. The healthcare process emphasizes interdisciplinary teamwork at each
stage of the planning of treatment and services with the primary goal of achieving patient satisfaction and ability to live
normally in society. The first 5 years are particularly important, with a focus on quality of care and ability to adapt to the
environment before entering school.
Objective : To study the treatment of patients with cleft lip and palate in Tawanchai center, in the 4-5 year age range.
Material and Method: A retrospective study of the clinical records was led, concerning the 123 cleft lip and cleft palate
patients aged 4-5 years under treatment in Tawanchai center, Srinagarind Hospital. Data was collected during three months
from October to December 2011, using the admission records of the interdisciplinary team. Percentages and mean values
were calculated from these data.
Results : 120 of the 123 patients were operated, giving a ratio of 97.56%. 108 cases were under government universal health
coverage regime, corresponding to 87.80% of cases. 74 cases (60.16%) presented both cleft lip and palate condition, and an
average of 5-night stay in hospital per person. Medical services by the interdisciplinary team were provided as follows: (1)
of 30 patients with cleft lip aged 3-4 months, 30 (100%) received pre and post-surgery care counseling, 29 (96.67%) received
surgery; (2) of 19 patients with cleft palate aged 10-18 months, 17 (89.47%) received treatment information, pre and post-
surgery counseling and were operated according to the protocols; (3) of 74 patients with cleft lip and palate, 53 (71.62%)
received counseling for pre and post-surgery care for lip repair at the age of 3-4 months, 52 (70.27%) were operated
following the protocols, while at the age of 10-18 months 63 patients (85.14%) received treatment information, pre and post-
surgery care counseling, and surgical intervention for palate repair.
Conclusion : Results of cleft lip and palate continuous treatment by interdisciplinary team in Tawanchai center for patients
aged 4-5 years are reported. The highest percentage of patients to follow the treatment protocol, with pre and post-surgery
care counseling and surgical intervention was achieved for cleft lip only cases, followed by cleft palate cases. Patients with
both cleft lip and palate condition achieved the lowest percentage. In all cases, patients accepted within the center were treated
at an 85.39% rate.
Keywords : Treatment of 4-5 years-old, Cleft lip and cleft palate, Tawanchai center
