The relation between clinically diagnosed and parent-reported feeding difficulties in children with and without clefts.

A cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) is one of the most common craniofacial malformations, occurring worldwide in about one in 600-1000 newborn infants. CL/P is known to influence the feeding process negatively, causing feeding difficulties in 25-73% of all children with CL/P. Because there is a risk for serious complications in these children regarding feeding difficulties, there is often a need for intensive medical counseling and treatment.

"Auricular reconstruction: A sociocultural, surgical and scientific perspective".

The functional and sociocultural role of the auricle has been prevalent in art, literature and history for millennia. It is no surprise, therefore, that auricular anomalies can be associated with affective disorders and impaired academic performance in children. The challenge of auricular reconstruction has captured the attention of surgical innovators for millennia with the earliest records of auricular reconstruction documented in the Edwin Smith Surgical Papyrus dating back to 3000 BCE.

Parental Attitude Toward the Prenatal Diagnosis of Oral Cleft: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Objectives: The prenatal diagnosis of oral clefts (OCs) by ultrasound can pose an ethical dilemma. The purpose of this study was to obtain insight into the psychosocial and moral considerations of prospective parents concerning OCs, the burden of OCs and parents' attitude toward possible termination of pregnancy (TOP) in order to improve counseling in the future.

Design: Between August 2011 and August 2014, a prospective cohort questionnaire study was administered.

Long-Term Follow-Up Study of Young Adults Treated for Unilateral Complete Cleft Lip, Alveolus, and Palate by a Treatment Protocol Including Two-Stage Palatoplasty: Speech Outcomes.

Background: No consensus exists on the optimal treatment protocol for orofacial clefts or the optimal timing of cleft palate closure. This study investigated factors influencing speech outcomes after two-stage palate repair in adults with a non-syndromal complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP).

Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of adult patients with a UCLP who underwent two-stage palate closure and were treated at our tertiary cleft centre.

Accurate Measurements of the Skin Surface Area of the Healthy Auricle and Skin Deficiency in Microtia Patients.

Background: The limited cranial skin covering auricular implants is an important yet underrated factor in auricular reconstruction for both reconstruction surgery and tissue engineering strategies. We report exact measurements on skin deficiency in microtia patients and propose an accessible preoperative method for these measurements.

Methods: Plaster ear models (n = 11; male:female = 2:1) of lobular-type microtia patients admitted to the University Medical Center Utrecht in The Netherlands were scanned using a micro-computed tomographic scanner or a cone-beam computed tomographic scanner.

Mechanisms of ear trauma and reconstructive techniques in 105 consecutive patients.

Acquired auricular deformities may diminish facial esthetics and cause psychological distress. The aim of this article is to provide an overview of the type of injuries and applied reconstructive techniques in a large academic hospital in The Netherlands. A retrospective chart review was conducted for the last 105 patients who underwent auricular reconstruction for an acquired deformity.

Combining regenerative medicine strategies to provide durable reconstructive options: auricular cartilage tissue engineering.

Recent advances in regenerative medicine place us in a unique position to improve the quality of engineered tissue. We use auricular cartilage as an exemplar to illustrate how the use of tissue-specific adult stem cells, assembly through additive manufacturing and improved understanding of postnatal tissue maturation will allow us to more accurately replicate native tissue anisotropy. This review highlights the limitations of autologous auricular reconstruction, including donor site morbidity, technical considerations and long-term complications.

Long-Term Results of Mandibular Distraction Osteogenesis with a Resorbable Device in Infants with Robin Sequence: Effects on Developing Molars and Mandibular Growth.

Background: Mandibular distraction osteogenesis with a unidirectional resorbable device is an effective treatment option for severe upper airway obstruction in infants with Robin sequence. Long-term effects, especially with regard to tooth development and mandibular outgrowth, are not known.

Methods: Robin sequence infants with a follow-up of greater than or equal to 5 years were included.

Treatment of infantile hemangiomas: therapeutic options in regard to side effects and adverse events - a review of the literature.

Introduction: While options for treatment strategies for infantile hemangiomas (IH) are numerous, evidence-based information about agents, optimal dosage, adverse effects, treatment modality, pretreatment and treatment strategies remain limited.

Areas Covered: To evaluate side effects and adverse events of medical treatment in children with infantile hemangioma, a comprehensive review of the literature was performed to provide information for daily practice. In total 254 studies were retrieved from medical databases and comprised 10,022 patients divided into 5 different treatment groups.

Replantation versus Prosthetic Fitting in Traumatic Arm Amputations: A Systematic Review.

Background: Traumatic arm amputations can be treated with replantation or surgical formalization of the stump with or without subsequent prosthetic fitting. In the literature, many authors suggest the superiority of replantation. This systematic review compared available literature to analyze whether replantation is functionally and psychologically more profitable than formalization and prosthetic fitting in patients with traumatic arm amputation.

A practical prenatal ultrasound classification system for common oral clefts.

Objective: Our aim is to introduce and validate a new oral cleft classification system based on prenatal ultrasound for use by professionals in daily practice.

Methods: During a 3-year period (2011-2014), all cases of prenatal oral cleft diagnosed by ultrasound were retrospectively reviewed. A new prenatal ultrasound classification system was introduced.

Nerve conduction studies after decompression in painful diabetic polyneuropathy.

Purpose: To investigate the influence of nerve decompression at potential entrapment sites in the lower extremity in painful diabetic polyneuropathy on nerve conduction study variables.

Methods: Forty-two patients with painful diabetic polyneuropathy were included in this prospective randomized controlled trial. Preoperative nerve conduction studies were performed bilaterally.

A pragmatic approach to infants with Robin sequence: a retrospective cohort study and presence of a treatment algorithm.

Objectives: Initial approaches to and treatments of infants with Robin sequence (RS) is diverse and inconsistent. The care of these sometimes critically ill infants involves many different medical specialties, which can make the decision process complex and difficult. To optimize the care of infants with RS, we present our institution's approach and a review of the current literature.

Professional opinion on oral cleft during pregnancy: a comparison between Israel and The Netherlands.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the opinion of obstetric care providers who perform prenatal ultrasounds to screen for anomalies and who advise women about their options, including termination of pregnancy, when an oral cleft is detected. We compared providers' opinions about pregnancy termination for isolated oral cleft in The Netherlands, where the number of terminations is low, and in Israel, where the number is high.

Methods: Online questionnaires were used.

Conservative treatment of thumb base osteoarthritis: a systematic review.

Purpose: To provide a systematic review of randomized controlled trials regarding the conservative treatment of thumb base osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in the electronic bibliographic databases Medline (Pubmed) and Embase (both starting year to May 2014) using predetermined criteria for studies on nonoperative treatment of thumb base OA.

Results: Twenty-three articles fulfilled our inclusion criteria.

Effect of surgical decompression of nerves in the lower extremity in patients with painful diabetic polyneuropathy on stability: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To investigate the effect of decompression of nerves in the lower extremity in patients with painful diabetic polyneuropathy on static balance using a sensitive pressure mat system.

Design: Non-blinded randomized controlled trial.

Setting: Single center study performed at the University Medical Center Utrecht between 2010-2013.

Self-reported speech problems in adolescents and young adults with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome: a cross-sectional cohort study.

Background: Speech problems are a common clinical feature of the 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. The objectives of this study were to inventory the speech history and current self-reported speech rating of adolescents and young adults, and examine the possible variables influencing the current speech ratings, including cleft palate, surgery, speech and language therapy, intelligence quotient, and age at assessment.

Platybasia in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome is not correlated with speech resonance.

Background: An abnormally obtuse cranial base angle, also known as platybasia, is a common finding in patients with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS). Platybasia increases the depth of the velopharynx and is therefore postulated to contribute to velopharyngeal dysfunction.

Restoring tactile and erogenous penile sensation in low-spinal-lesion patients: procedural and technical aspects following 43 TOMAX nerve transfer procedures.

Background: The "TOMAX" (TO MAX-imize sensation, sexuality, and quality of life) procedure restores genital sensation in men with low spinal lesions, improving sexual health, as shown previously. It connects the dorsal nerve of the penis to the intact ipsilateral ilioinguinal nerve, unilaterally or bilaterally. This study reports on the technical aspects based on 43 TOMAX nerve transfers.