Ih, CJ; Chen, HW; Hsieh, HY; Lai, YH; Chiu, FY; Chen, YR; Tu, SL; ,; Shaw, W; Semb, G; Lohmander, A; Persson, C; Willadsen, E; Clayton-Smith, J; Trindade, IK; Munro, KJ; Gamble, C; Harman, N; Conroy, EJ; Weichart, D; Williamson, P; ,
Cleft palate is among the most common birth abnormalities. The success of primary surgery in the early months of life is crucial for successful feeding, speech, hearing, dental development and facial growth. Over recent decades, age at palatal surgery in infancy has reduced. This has led to palatal closure in one-stage procedures being carried out around the age of 12 months, but in some cases as early as 6 months. The primary objective of the Timing Of Primary Surgery for Cleft Palate (TOPS)trial is to determine whether surgery for cleft palate performed at 6 or 12 months of age is most beneficial for speech outcomes.
