Management Pattern and Hospital Charge of Repairing Cleft Palate at Siriraj Hospital

Abstract

Management pattern and hospital charge for repairing cleft palate at Siriraj Hospital during 1996-1999 were studied retrospectively. From the examination of 100 patient records, four cases were excluded since no surgical correction was performed during hospitalization. Fifty-nine percent were female and the average age was 5.54 years old. Fever and otitis media were associated with two and three cases respectively. Other underlying diseases included hypothyroidism, patent ductus arteriosus and ventricular septal defect were found one in each case. The cleft palate was successfully repaired in all cases. Surgical correction was done in 84 percent of cases within the first five days of hospitalization. The average length of stay was 5.89 ± 2.85 days and ranged from 2-20 days. The hospital charge for cleft palate repair was 7,031.22 ± 1,365.33 Baht per case. This study illustrate that a small variation is practiced in the management of a reasonably straight forward condition and better preparation of the patients before hospitalization could reduce the hospital stay or avoid unnecessary hospitalization.