Abstract:
INTRODUCTION: Lip tape therapy or lip taping is a widely
used tissue approximation technique in cleft lip babies. Various
tapes have been tested and used worldwide. Allergic
reactions and skin irritation are the most common problems
encountered. Tension force across the tape cannot be consistently
applied. Cost is also an obstacle to adopting lip
tape therapy, particularly in developing countries.
AIM: A study was undertaken to evaluate a different tape,
“physio tape”, which has never been used for lip approximation
in cleft lip babies.
METHOD: Eight babies were available for this study, which
was conducted over a six-week period (Ethical Approval
number 33/2013). Standardised pre- and post-treatment
recordings were made with a digital camera and soft tissue
analysis was carried out with Cliniview software.
RESULTS: All participants showed a reduction in cleft size
ranging from 9.1mm to 36.7mm at the vermillion end of the
cleft. Caregivers had no difficulty with the lip tape procedure
and generally no untoward or allergic reactions were
reported.
CONCLUSION: On the basis of the positive results of this investigation,
it is recommended that this method of lip tape
therapy be used on all babies born with a cleft lip. It is affordable,
simple to use and should facilitate the surgical repair.
