Clefts of the primary palate and secondary palate - ROS - 2007 - Tome 36 - N°4

Clefts of the primary palate and secondary palate are the most frequent congenital malformations of the cephalic extremity. They are due to a fusion defect of the embryonic buds during the first weeks of embryogenesis. 3 types can be distinguished into clefts of the primary palate (unilateral or bilateral), clefts of the secondary palate and clefts of the primary palate and secondary palate (unilateral or bilateral). Their complex treatment extends from at birth to the end of growth. A treatment strategy includes an initial surgical closure of the cleft then a secondary correction of the anomalies particularly induced by growth and finally a complementary multidisciplinary care i.e. otologic, orthophonic and orthodontic care. Exact modalities and treatment chronology depend on the practice policy of each team but the overall care must remain coherent and privileges simple solutions not generating any complication.