CHILDREN’S PERSPECTIVES OF ALVEOLAR BONE GRAFTING

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    CHILDREN’S PERSPECTIVES OF ALVEOLAR BONE GRAFTING

  • IRAS ID

    230673

  • Contact name

    Philip Benson

  • Contact email

    p.benson@sheffield.ac.uk

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    0 years, 5 months, 22 days

  • Research summary

    In the UK, cleft lip and palate is the most common birth defect. One in 700 babies are born with a cleft or gap in the bones of the upper lip and/or roof of their mouth. The cleft often includes the part of the top jaw containing the teeth, called the alveolus. Children with a cleft are placed on a healthcare pathway from birth until they are around 20 years old. The care pathway involves surgical repair of the lip, roof of the mouth and the area around the teeth. The repair of the alveolus, known as an alveolar bone graft (ABG), involves placing a piece of hip or leg bone into the jaw to close the gap. It is generally completed between 7 to 11 years old.

    There is extensive research into when the ABG should be completed and the surgical techniques used; however, there are very little qualitative data about young people's perspectives of undergoing an ABG. This research will conduct qualitative in-depth interviewing of around 20 children with a cleft of the alveolus, who have been assessed as benefiting from an alveolar bone graft. Our sample will be drawn from a population of children who are under the care of the Trent Regional Cleft Network. Patients who will be invited to take part in this study will be at one of the four stages of the alveolar bone grafting pathway; 1. following the first discussion of the ABG, 2. pre-operatively, 3. immediately post operatively and 4. after the patient has recovered.

    The interviews will be recorded, transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. The aim is to understand young peoples' experiences of the treatment process. This will help inform clinicians, so recommendations can be made to improve how care is delivered and the children's involvement in the process.

  • REC name

    London - Riverside Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    18/LO/0066

  • Date of REC Opinion

    25 Jan 2018

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion