Assessment of Wound Healing Outcomes After Cleft Lip Repair at National Hospital Abuja, FCT

Cleft lip and palate are the most common craniofacial birth defects encountered in oral and maxillofacial surgery practice, requiring staged surgical correction beginning with primary lip repair in early infancy. Wound healing outcomes after cleft lip repair are influenced by multiple factors including surgical technique, nutritional status, postoperative care, and family compliance with follow-up schedules. This prospective observational study assesses wound healing outcomes at two, four, and twelve weeks following primary cleft lip repair at the National Hospital Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, which serves patients from multiple geopolitical zones across Nigeria. Forty children who underwent cheiloplasty between January 2022 and December 2023 were enrolled and followed up using standardized wound assessment scales. Parameters evaluated include wound dehiscence, scar quality, infection, symmetry of repair, and parental satisfaction. Results indicate that wound healing was satisfactory in 80% of cases at twelve weeks, with wound dehiscence occurring in 10% of patients, predominantly associated with poor nutritional indices at the time of surgery. Delayed presentation for primary repair beyond six months was significantly associated with poorer cosmetic outcomes. The study highlights the role of preoperative nutritional optimization and sustained family education in improving surgical outcomes for cleft conditions. Recommendations are made for improved cleft care coordination across Nigeria's geopolitical zones. Keywords: cleft lip repair, wound healing, cheiloplasty, Abuja, surgical outcomes.