[New morpho-functional rehabilitation methods in cleft lip and palate].

Unlabelled: The interdisciplinary, complex therapeutic protocol of the cleft lip and palate patients, applied in the Clinic of Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery of "I. Haţieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj-Napoca, involves the morphologic reconstruction as well as the functional rehabilitation. Functional rehabilitation is the aspect, which gives the esthetics, social and familial integration of the patient, offering good quality of life.

Method: In the current study, a new method and concept of improving the phonetic function in the primary and secondary surgical steps, with the effect on muscle and bone, is presented. The new surgical techniques used comprise of the surgery of the levator veli palatini using the method designed by Sader, and bone distraction, during the same surgical procedure. The assessment of the phonetic results was performed using the NARSOM test.

Results: Following up the results of the techniques mentioned above, we consider that they improve extremely well the morphological status, while giving a functional and physiological support to the patient.

Conclusion: Thus, they offer optimal conditions for the future progress of functional rehabilitation using specific speech therapy methods.