PURPOSE: As there is no satisfying animal model simulating the @entity3384 and palate anatomy in a standardized defect on one hand, and comprising the possibilities for extensive surgical procedures on the other hand, an improved fetal lamb model for cleft surgery was developed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prior to the main study with 16 animals, a pilot study with 4 @entity742 was conducted. In the pilot study, the unilateral defect was induced at 75 days of gestation. Within 22 days the defect was repaired in 3 @entity742 ; 1 lamb remained unoperated. Disappointing results from the pilot study led to an earlier defect induction (60 to 64 days of gestation) and earlier repair (71 to 84 days) in the main study with 16 @entity742 . The subsequent delayed repair of the defect was carried out using a Tennison-Randall technique in 10 @entity742 . In 4 @entity742 the defect was repaired postnatal, using the same technique. Two @entity742 had to be excluded from the study. After being euthanized, all animals were investigated macro- and microscopically. RESULTS: According to our criteria, the esthetic results ranged from satisfactory to good. Cutis and mucosa showed a full recovery whereas subcutis and the orbicularis oris muscle showed healing with scar formation. On average the operated lips were 9% shorter and were also thinner than the contralateral control side. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the results of the closure of a standardized lip and @entity3573 in several stages of gestation were documented. Early intervention led to better esthetic results, but increased the risk of abortion by 25%. There was no prevention of scarring in subcutaneous and muscle tissue. Because there was no alignment of the orbicularis oris muscle, the goal of a functional perfect result was not achieved.

Prenatal XXXX and @entity3573 repair in a 2-step fetal lamb model.

@entity3573 :: ('MESH:D008439', 'Disease') :: ['maxillary alveolar defect'] @entity3384 :: ('MESH:D002971', 'Disease') :: ['complex cleft lip'] @entity742 :: ('9940', 'Species') :: ['lambs']
@entity3384 :: (MESH:D002971,Disease) :: ['cleft lip']
