The status of Cleft Lip and Palate in North Korea; Analysis of North Korean textbooks

교과서 분석을 통해 본 북한의 구순$\cdot$구개열 현황

The dissimilarities between South and North Korea have persisted in spite of the reconciliation campaign by both countries. The situation of the cleft lip & palate of North Korea was very unclear until now. The purpose of this study is to understand all the current facts of cleft lip & palate in North Korea so that we can find ways of helping North Korea in this field of medicine. The present data and analysis are extracted from North Korean textbooks. The results are as follow. 1. In North Korea, patients with CLP are treated by oral surgeons or maxillofacial surgeons. The detailed contents about the CLP are well described in the North Korean textbooks for the dental students. 2. The terminology of CLP in North Korea has changed from time to time, but the present terminology not being so different from South Korean counterpart. So there will be no particular problems in mutual communication. 3. The main classification for CLP in North Korea originated from Kernahan & Stark's classification as is with South Korea. 4. The incidence of CLP is 1 : 1,000-1,200 in North Korea, which is lower than that of South Korea. There is, however, some difference between the North and South Korean CLP in detailed statistics. 5. We found the North Korean physicians have shown much interest in pursuing the etiology and the prevention of CLP. 6. The timing of CLP operations varied a lot in North Korea. There was recommendation by few for the operation in much late age than in South Korea. 7. The classical operation techniques of cleft lip have changed. For unilateral cleft lip Tennison-Randall method was replaced by Millard I method: and for bilateral cleft lip LeMesurier method was replaced by Veau III and Tennison methods. But for cleft palate Pushback palatoplasty has been utilized consistently.