Development and Implementation of New Methods for Follow Up of Patients Treated for Cleft Lip and Palate

Cleft lip and palate (CLP) is the most common facial congenital malformation, affecting 1.8/1 000 newborns. Children born with CLP in Sweden undergo surgical repair of the cleft in infancy/childhood, and are followed throughout childhood/adolescence. Problems that can arise may relate to speech, dental development, facial aesthetics, and psychosocial wellbeing. This doctoral dissertation project focuses on the development and introduction of modern technology in CLP care, and the use of artificial intelligence for follow-up and evaluation of CLP treatment. The project also includes a study of CLP incidence and comparisons of different methods for cleft palate repair.

Cleft lip and palate (CLP) is the most common malformation of the face present at birth, meaning that there is an unwanted "cleft" (i.e. a hole) in the upper lip, dental arch (i.e. upper jaw) and/or palate. The malformation is treated through surgery at a young age, and children born with CLP in Sweden go to regular follow up visits as they grow up. The cleft may cause different problems typically relating to speech, dental development (teeth), aesthetics, and general wellbeing. This project focuses on the development and introduction of modern technology in CLP treatment. It also includes a study of how many children that are born with the malformation, and comparisons of different surgical techniques.