The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Primary Cleft Surgery

Abstract

Objective: The main objective of this study is to evaluate the early effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on primary cleft lip surgeries in a single high-volume center. Material and Methods: A retrospective comparative cohort study of patients undergoing primary cleft lip and primary cleft palate repair before and during the pandemic was conducted. A sum of 194 patients, comprising of 100 patients taken pre-pandemic, and 94 patients who underwent primary cleft repairs during the pandemic were used in this study. The demographic factor and age groups were compared. Results: Mean age of primary cleft repair was 6.1 ± 2.9 pre-pandemic (n = 66) and 6.9 ± 4.9 (n = 69) in the pandemic cohort (p = 0.229). The mean age at primary cleft palate repair was 22.3 ± 13.5 (n = 34) pre-pandemic and 23.6 ± 10.7 (n = 25) in the pandemic cohort (p = 0.7). Conclusion: Primary cleft surgery was not significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Further studies are required to evaluate the psychological effects of the pandemic to patients and their families.