Editors: Steven L. Goudy, MD and Travis T. Tollefson, MD
Publisher: Thieme – 212 pages
Book Review by: Nano Khilnani

The cleft lip and cleft palate deformity occurs in 1 out of every 500 to 1,000 live births, Dr. Steven Goudy and Dr. Lisa Buckmiller point out in the first chapter of this book. What are the causes of such a deformity in infants? There are multiple genetic and environmental factors that have been associated with it. This is a must-read, helpful introductory chapter to understand this phenomenon. (For example, I believe much of the general public does not know that this deformity can be identified prenatally).

Drs. Goudy and Buckmiller discuss several aspects of this problem including its embryology, genetics, prenatal diagnosis (including methods), prenatal counseling, and feeding the infant with a cleft.

Of the many medical books available out there on cleft lip and cleft palate deformities, this one is unique because it helps you – the practitioner or student – in many ways. Among other benefits of using this outstanding book, it:

  • Provides you the biology, evaluation, and treatment of such deformities, with photos
  • Presents key information in a straightforward, concise, clearly-written manner
  • Covers with detail the genetics and other information needed for patient counseling
  • Addresses feeding issues
  • Discusses pre-surgical treatment with naso-alveolar molding and mandibular distraction therapy.
  • Offers detailed flow diagrams to help you make correct and effective decisions
  • Guides you on speech evaluation and the treatment of velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI)

Thirty-four specialists in facial, plastic and reconstructive surgery, head and neck surgery, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics, pediatrics, speech and language pathology, and various aspects of (including pediatric) otolaryngology contributed material as authors of the 16 chapters of this book, which we name below to give you an overview of what you will find in the print edition of this textbook.

  1. Genetics, Prenatal Diagnosis and Counseling, and Feeding
  2. Pre-surgical Treatment
  3. Mandibular Distraction
  4. Cleft Lip Repair: Unilateral
  5. Cleft Lip Repair: Bilateral
  6. Primary Cleft Rhinoplasty and Gingivoperiosteoplasty
  7. Cleft Palate Repair
  8. Adjunctive Methods in Cleft Palate Repair and Complications
  9. Alveolar Bone Grafting
  10. Cleft Rhinoplasty
  11. Speech-Resonance Evaluation
  12. Pharyngeal Flap Surgery
  13. Sphincter Pharyngoplasty
  14. Complications of Velopharyngeal Insufficiency Surgery and Special Populations
  15. umanitarian MHumanitarian Missions

As an added benefit to you as the purchaser of this book, you are entitled to electronic resources as well. You will find instructional videos for Complete Cleft Care online at: www.MediaCenter.Thieme.com. As you go to that site, when prompted during the registration process, enter the code found on the inside front cover of your copy of this book.

You will find six videos relating to this book, entitled:

  1. Mandible Distraction
  2. Unilateral Cleft Lip Repair
  3. Cleft Palate Repair
  4. Pharyngeal Flap Repair
  5. Sphincter Pharyngoplasty Repair
  6. Videonasal Endoscopy

This text provides stunning full-color before- and after-surgery photos of cleft lip and cleft palate repairs, including photos of the various stages in the surgical process. The instruments and materials used in surgery further help you comprehend what is involved in the effort.

In each chapter, you will find a brief Introduction, discussion topics and subtopics, flow charts,  tables, and text boxes focused on a specific subject, and illustrations. In addition, at the end of each chapter, you will find a Summary, a text box entitled Evidence-Based Medicine, and a list of References. In some chapters, you will find a Surgical Interventions text box, a Definitions of Common Terms table or other items that facilitate study and retention of material.

This is a great book, and the editors named below have done an outstanding job compiling and presenting the expertise and insight of the experts involved in this collective effort.    

 

Editors:

Steven L. Goudy, MD is Associate Professor and Division Chief of Pediatric Otolaryngology at Emory University School of Medicine and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia.
Travis T. Tollefson, MD, MPH is Associate Professor of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at the University of California, Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, California.