Delay in Cleft Lip and Palate Surgical Repair: An Institutional Review on Cleft Health Disparities in an Urban Population

Access to specialized medical care is critical to decrease complications and minimize long-term morbidity, yet racial disparities in cleft surgery persist as time to initial reconstruction remains delayed among minority patients. Research has demonstrated an average 3-week delay in surgery for minority patients nationally. A retrospective chart review of patient demographics, visit timing, and surgical history was performed for patients who underwent primary cleft lip with or without palate (CL + P) reconstruction between 2002 and 2016 at an urban craniofacial center. Of the 89 children who underwent surgery, 87% were ethnic minorities (58% Hispanic, 25% African-American, 4% Asian/Other). Caucasian children were the earliest to receive CL (3.5 months) and CP (13-months) repair. Minority children trended toward a delay in CL repair, with surgery for African-Americans at 5-months (P = 0.06) and Hispanics at 4.8-months (P = 0.07). Time from first visit to CL surgery showed significant delays for minority, non-English speaking, and public insurance patients; however, for CP repair, male children were delayed from first visit to surgery compared to females (P = 0.03). While there was no statistical difference in age at CL or CP surgical repair among our racial/ethnic cohorts, there were significant racial/ethnic differences in timing spent in the preoperative period for CL. However, racial/ethnic differences decreased as the patients spent more time within the healthcare system. Thus, established, interdisciplinary cleft/craniofacial centers well versed in minority patients can minimize the complex social and cultural factors that contribute to delays in cleft care.