Treatment of Cleft Palate Associated with Robin Sequence: Appraisal of Risk Factors

Abstract

Mandibular hypoplasia, airway obstruction, and a typical wide U-shaped cleft palate comprise the Robin sequence. Although much has been written regarding the treatment of these patients in the neonatal period, the literature reveals little information regarding later care of the cleft palate in these patients. The purpose of this study is to examine patients with the Robin sequence and evaluate the risk of postsurgical problems and outcome related to the neonatal period. Thirty-six patients with the Robin sequence presenting from 1972 through 1990 were reviewed. A majority of patients had feeding and respiratory difficulties, to varying degrees, following birth. These problems were treated successfully by maneuvers ranging from positioning to two infants who eventually required tracheostomy. Thirty-four patients had palate repair. Age at repair averaged 16.2 months, and one third of patients had associated anomalies. Infants who experienced problems following palatoplasty were those who had histories of severe difficulties and complications in the early months of life. In addition, patients with associated congenital anomalies had significantly more problems at the time of palate repair than those without anomalies. Those patients with the Robin sequence, who historically had minimal difficulty following birth, experienced few complications at the time of palate repair. Of the 34 patients with repaired palates, 23 demonstrated sufficient follow-up to allow for evaluation of speech outcome. Satisfactory or normal speech production was noted in 65.4%. This is not significantly different from that observed in all patients undergoing cleft palate repair during this same time period (74.9%). Secondary pharyngoplasty procedures were required in 17.4%. An overall complication rate of 29.4% was noted with palatal fistula occurring in 11.8%. Examination of an infant's immediate postnatal period, as well as for the presence of associated anomalies, will provide important predictive information on the potential difficulties following cleft palate repair. In addition, palatoplasty, as part of the overall team approach to the cleft patient, results in a satisfactory speech outcome in approximately two thirds of patients with the Robin sequence.