Abstract
Objective
We sought to characterize factors associated with postoperative complications in patients undergoing primary cleft lip repair (CLR).
Design
The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program-Pediatric database was queried to identify patients under 12 months old undergoing CLR using CPT codes. Multivariable analysis was conducted to characterize complications and associated comorbidities.
Setting
A multicenter sample.
Patients/Participants
A total of 11 957 cases (81.9% unilateral CLR and 18.1% bilateral CLR) were identified.
Interventions
None.
Main Outcomes/Measures
The postoperative outcomes of significance were surgical site infection (SSI), wound dehiscence, and unplanned reintubation within 30 days of CLR.
Results
The cohort had a mean age of 4.7 ± 2.0 months and a median American Society of Anesthesiologists classification of 2. SSIs occurred in 0.6% of cases and were independently associated with bilateral cleft anatomy (OR 2.16, P = .003) and longer anesthesia time (OR per minute: 1.004, P = .009). Wound dehiscence occurred in 0.4% of patients and was independently associated with bilateral cleft anatomy (OR 4.03, P < .001) but was associated with shorter anesthesia duration (OR per minute: 0.991, P < .001). Unplanned reintubation occurred in 0.2% of cases, with these patients having significantly higher rates of multiple comorbidities.
Conclusion
Wound dehiscence, SSI, and unplanned reintubation were rare complications following CLR. Patients with a bilateral cleft lip had increased odds of both SSI and wound dehiscence.
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