Cleft lip and cleft palate are openings or splits in the upper lip, the roof of the mouth (palate) or both. Cleft lip and cleft palate result when facial structures that are developing in an unborn baby that doesn't close completely.
Length Of Operation: 1-3 hour
Going Back To Normal Life: 1-2 week
Full Recovery: 1-2 month
Diagnosis:
Orofacial clefts, especially cleft lip with or without cleft palate, can be diagnosed during pregnancy by a routine ultrasound. It can also be diagnosed -especially cleft palate- after the baby is born, However, sometimes certain types of cleft palate (for example, submucous cleft palate and bifid uvula) might not be diagnosed until later state of life.
Cleft Lip Repair (Cheiloplasty):
Clefts vary in severity from partial unilateral (one side) cleft to complete bilateral (both sides). Surgery of the lip will be performed at approximately 4-6 months of age. The child must be healthy and gain weight. The guideline to be followed is that children must weigh minimum ten pounds before the surgery is to be performed.
Cleft Palate Repair:
A cleft palate usually is repaired with surgery called palatoplasty when the baby is 10–12 months old.
The goals of palatoplasty are to:
• Close the opening between the nose and mouth
• Help create a palate that works well for speech
• Prevent food and liquid from leaking out of the nose
What to Expect After Surgery?
Some pain is normal after surgery. Your child will be sent home with pain medicine and an antibiotic.
For the first few days after surgery, you may see the following:
• There may be a small amount of blood in the mucus or saliva (spit) for several days. The mucus or saliva will appear pink.
• More clear drainage than usual may come from the nose (snot) for several weeks. This is because the opening between the nose and mouth is now closed.
• Sleep habits should return to normal after several weeks.
• After surgery, it is most important to make sure that your child is consuming enough liquids to stay hydrated.
