Management of Cleft Lip and Palate in the Developing World

Book excerpt: This book explores the complex issues surrounding the management of cleft lip and palate in the Developing World, and aims to raise the profile of a condition commonly considered to be of only cosmetic importance in countries where infant and child mortality rates are high. It provides information and guidelines to three groups: those in the Developing World setting up programmes of cleft lip and palate care, and clinicians from developed countries delivering care in that context, as well as clinicians in the Developing World itself. The book is multidisciplinary, demonstrating the role of every member of the team, not just the surgeon, and includes contributions from charity organisations which support these cleft lip and palate programmes. Each area of clinical practice is covered, comparing typical care in developed countries with that in the Developing World, and contains practical suggestions as to how the gap may be narrowed. Management of Cleft Lip and Palate in the Developing World is an important resource for anyone having - or planning to have - a commitment to develop services in that environment and to clinicians in the Developing World faced with large numbers of cleft lip and palate patients and limited resources of materials and manpower.