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

IntroductionCleft 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.MethodsThis 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.ResultsThe 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.ConclusionThe patient had growth comparable to that of a child born healthy.