A Preoperative Appliance for a Newborn With Cleft Palate

Abstract

Cleft palate is a commonly observed congenital maxillofacial defect. One of the most important problems with clefts is the interference with feeding. An affected infant cannot produce negative pressure in the oral cavity and therefore cannot move the bolus backward to the pharynx. To obtain better nutritional intake prior to surgical correction, a palatal lift obturator is recommended. In this clinical report, a modified technique of obturator fabrication is presented. The new method uses a piece of tulle, a flexible and durable material that is frequently used in theater attire. With the help of this material, the bulb part is connected to the plate as a labile piece, and this connection acts like a natural velopharyngeal extension. Additionally, because of the softer property of the silicone elastomer, the posterior pharyngeal wall is less irritated.