Proposal of a hybrid workflow to create a device treating the nutritional disability of an infant with cleft lip and palate: Case report

Introduction: Cleft lip-palate is the most common craniofacial congenital anomaly. Patients with Cleft lip palate require treatment with a multidisciplinary approach from birth to enable independent feeding and physiological growth. In the past, the fabrication of therapeutic devices for a child with a cleft lip palate was executed through conventional dental impression materials , with the risk of suffocation. The use of a digital workflow minimizes impression-related risks and streamlines procedures. Methods: This study aims to propose a hybrid workflow that can combine the advantages of digital workflow with the advantages of analog workflow that can be applied daily by clinicians treating cleft lip-palate-affected patients. Results: The device created was immediately accepted by the patient allowing autonomous nutrition. Evaluation of the effectiveness of the device was done by body weight assessment every 15 days. Conclusion: The patient had growth comparable to that of a child born healthy.