Clinical Follow-Up in Orofacial Clefts—Why Multidisciplinary Care Is the Key

Journal of Clinical Medicine

AlexanderK. Bartella¹  Elisabeth Grau¹  Rüdiger Zimmerer¹  AnnaK. Sander¹  Anita Kloss-Brandstätter¹  Bernd Lethaus¹  Luise Brauer²  Sebastian Hahnel³ 

[1] Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Leipzig University Medical Center, 04103 Leipzig, Germany;Department of Orthodontics, Leipzig University Medical Center, 04103 Leipzig, Germany;Department of Prosthetic Dentistry and Dental Materials Science, Leipzig University Medical Center, 04103 Leipzig, Germany;

关键词: cleft lip palate;    multidisciplinary;    team-oriented care;    orofacial;    syndrome;    follow-up;   

DOI  :  10.3390/jcm10040842

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

(1) Background: Although most clinicians involved in the treatment of cleft patients agree upon the major importance of interdisciplinary cooperation and many protocols and concepts have been discussed in the literature, there is little evidence of the relevance of continuous interdisciplinary care. We aimed to objectify the type and number of therapeutic decisions resulting from an annual multidisciplinary follow-up. (2) Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data of all 1126 patients followed up in the weekly consultation hours for cleft patients at university clinics in Leipzig for the years 2005–2020. We assessed the clinical data of every patient and specifically evaluated the treatment decisions taken at different points in time by the participating experts of different specialties. (3) Results: In total, 3470 consultations were included in the evaluation, and in 70% of those, a therapeutic recommendation was given. Each specialty showed certain time frames with intense treatment demand, which partially overlapped. Nearly all therapy recommendations were statistically attached to a certain age (p < 0.001). (4) Conclusions: There is an exceptionally high need for the interdisciplinary assessment of patients with cleft formation. Some developmental phases are of particular importance with regard to regular follow-up and initiation of different treatment protocols. The therapy and checkup of cleft patients should be concentrated in specialized centers.

【 授权许可】

Unknown