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The Impact Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On Cleft Care: A Comparative Cohort Study
Madeleine K. Bruce BA, Miles J. Pfaff MD MHS, Erin Anstadt MD, Joseph E. Losee MD, Jesse A. Goldstein MD
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
2021-01-27
Presenter: Madeleine Bruce
Affidavit:
Vu Nguyen
Director Name: Vu Nguyen
Author Category: Medical Student
Presentation Category: Clinical
Abstract Category: Craniomaxillofacial
Background:
The COVID-19 pandemic had multiple effects on the provision of health care, including the suspension of elective and non-essential surgeries. The objective of this study was to determine the early effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the surgical care of patients with cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) at a high-volume cleft center.
Methods:
A retrospective comparative cohort study of patients with CL/P undergoing lip adhesion, cleft lip and nose repair, and palatoplasty before and during the pandemic was performed. Fifty patients were in the pre-pandemic cohort and 53 in the pandemic cohort.
Results:
Mean age at lip adhesion was 3.1 ± 1.1 months pre-pandemic (n=8) and 3.5 ± 2.5 months in the pandemic cohort (n=8) (p = 0.75). One lip adhesion was delayed by 1.6 months. Mean age at cleft lip and nose repair was 6.6 ± 1.9 months pre-pandemic (n=23) and 8.0 ± 2.1 months in the pandemic cohort (n=23) (p = 0.03). Six pandemic cleft lip and nose repairs were delayed; mean delay was 2.6 ± 1.8 months. Mean age at palatoplasty was 13.9 ± 2.2 months pre-pandemic (n=26) and 14.1 ± 2.9 months in the pandemic cohort (n=26) (p = 0.79). Seven pandemic palatoplasties were delayed; mean delay was 3.3 ± 1.4 months.
Conclusions:
The COVID-19 pandemic caused delays at each stage of repair for CL/P-related procedures; however, only cleft lip and nose repair was significantly affected. This study emphasizes the importance of remaining vigilant regarding the care of this vulnerable population during this challenging time.
