Cleft Lip Surgery in Sudan: Clinical Presentations, Early Outcomes, and Patient and Professional Satisfaction: A sub-Saharan African experience

Background: Cleft lip and palate are the most common congenital craniofacial anomalies. They account for approximately 13% of all congenital anomalies.

Objectives: To study the presentation of cleft lip and the early results of surgical repair among patients who presented to our centers.

Methods: This was a hospital-based prospective cohort study of 72 patients who underwent cleft lip repair in Sudan.

Results: The commonest age group was between 10-18 months. The male-to-female ratio was 2:1, and a family history of cleft lip was found in 2.8% of patients. The cleft lip was complete in 81.9%, incomplete in 12.5%, and hybrid in 5.6% of patients. Associated cleft palate was observed in 54 patients. Associated syndromes were found in 10 patients. The surgery was carried out in most patients at 9 months or less; in 4 patients, it was more than 18 months. Achievement of reasonable lip repair was moderate (50% collectively). High achievement was observed for criteria, such as accurate union (90.3%), and sub-moderate achievement in even vermillion border and cupid's bow (44%), low nose symmetry (30.6%), and quality of scar (18.1%). Early complications were reported at the rate of 13.9%. Patient satisfaction was 59.7%; however, the professionals showed higher satisfaction levels (66.7%). The anthropometric measurements of normal infants were moderately similar to those of the infants who underwent surgery.

Conclusion: The patients with cleft lip showed early presentation, with a predominance of the male gender and left side pattern. The preliminary outcome of cleft lip repair was moderate, with variations in different criteria. Patient and professional satisfaction were above average.