title: Should surgeons use arm restraints after cleft surgery?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Most cleft surgeons require children to wear postoperative arm restraints although the literature suggests that there is no difference in early complications. The aim of this study was to determine if the use of postoperative arm restraints was effective in preventing early postoperative complications.
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed 120 consecutive primary cleft surgeries in which 1 surgeon used arm restraints in all patients and the other surgeon did not. Demographic information was obtained and complications were reviewed. We compared infection, fistula, and dehiscence between the 2 groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 120 primary cleft surgeries, there was no difference in early complications in patients who were required to wear arm restraints versus those who were not (P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Arm restraints are unnecessary and may cause distress in both patients and their families. Eliminating arm restraints from cleft care would save the health care system an estimated $234,000 annually.
authors.affiliation: Pennsylvania State University, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA 17033, USA. bmichelotti@hmc.psu.edu
authors.forename: Brett
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Michelotti
authors.forename: Ross E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Long
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Leber
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Samson
authors.forename: Donald
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mackay
mesh_terms: D002971:Cleft Lip / Q000191:economics / Q000601:surgery*; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000191:economics / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010414:Pennsylvania; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012149:Restraint, Physical / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012189:Retrospective Studies