Surgical learning curve in performing palatoplasty: A retrospective study in 200 XXXX .

@entity1 @entity14705 @entity292 @entity86 @entity2419
OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to assess the influence of the experience of the surgeon on the occurrence of @entity292 following palatoplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of consecutive @entity1 treated between 2006 and 2013 for @entity2419 by a single surgeon. @entity2419 repair was performed using the von Langenbeck technique, Furlow palatoplasty, @entity14705 . Data was collected for age, sex, date of birth, syndrome, adoption, @entity2419 type, type of repair, cleft width, @entity292 occurrence and location of @entity292 . RESULTS: A total of 276 operations were performed in 200 @entity1 (Veau I, II, III, IV). Mean age at surgery was 21.9 months (range: 6.2 months to 26 years 8.3 months). Postoperatively, @entity2419 occurred in eight @entity1 (4.0%), however, the incidence was 3.0% in the non-adoption group and 9.7% in the adoption population. In this study there was no statistically significant evidence of a surgical learning curve, and no significant associations between @entity292 rate and sex, adoption, syndrome, @entity2419 , cleft width, or type of repair. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study demonstrates a @entity292 formation rate of 3.0% for the non-adoption population and 9.7% for the adoption population. There was no statistically significant evidence of a learning curve during the first few years of performing @entity2419 repair. No other independent risk factors for @entity86 formation were identified; however, the benefit of a vomer flap and subsequent reduction in @entity292 incidence was demonstrated.
