IMPACT OF PALATE REPAIR TIMING ON SPEECH OUTCOMES IN CHILDREN WITH CLEFT PALATE: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Abstract

Purpose: Obtaining successful speech outcomes is one of the primary treatment goals of cleft palate repair. Yet deciding the optimal time to perform surgery has not been well-defined amongst surgeons.

Methods: Four retrospective cohort studies and one RCT were assessed with the primary outcome being speech outcomes. We conducted a systematic search in the following databases: Pubmed, Scopus, Cochrane, and ScienceDirect. Quality of studies were assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool for retrospective cohort studies.

Results: From the literature search conducted, 179 articles were identified. Two reviewers independently screened titles and abstracts. Out of 179 articles, 16 were included for full text screen and review, 6 were then excluded because they had unsuitable study design and outcomes. With the remaining 10 studies, 5 were excluded because they did not meet our inclusion criteria. Four retrospective cohort studies and one randomized clinical trial were included in the final analysis.

Conclusion: This systematic review demonstrated evidence that late palatoplasty resulted in poorer speech outcomes (e.g. compensatory misarticulation, speech and language delays) in children with cleft palate.