Cleft Lip and Palette Surgery
CLEFT LIP & CLEFT PALATE SURGERY
Early in the prenatal development of a child, the right and left sides of the
lip and the roof of the mouth (palate) normally grow together. In about one of
every 800 babies, these sections do not quite meet, producing what is call a cleft
lip or cleft palate. Since both places develop separately, it is possible to have
a defect on the lip, palate, or both. Today, with the advances in surgical procedures,
there is much that can be done to help a child with these conditions.
CLEFT LIP SURGERY
Cleft lips can range in severity from a slight indent in the lip to a complete
separation of the lip extending to the nose. Clefts can occur on one or both sides
of the upper lip. Surgery is generally done when a child is 10 weeks old. Surgical
and recovery time depend on the severity of the defect. In general, after the
surgery, the doctor will prescribe medication to relieve discomfort. Usually this
is only needed for a couple of days. Pre- and post-surgical care and feeding will
be carefully reviewed with the child’s caregiver before and after the surgery.
For the first few weeks after the surgery, the wound will appear redder and bigger,
but this will fade after time. The scar may never completely disappear, but is
often barely noticeable in the shadow of the nose.
CLEFT PALATE SURGERY
Cleft palates may only involve a small portion of the back palate, or it may involve
the whole roof of the mouth from back to front. Depending on the severity of the
defect, surgery may be extensive and is usually not done on children until they
are nine to 18 months old. After the surgery, the child is usually placed on intravenous
fluids (in the hospital) for a few days to maintain fluid levels and discomfort
is controlled by medication. The doctor will advise caregivers on care and feeding
of the child for the first few weeks after the surgery to assure proper healing.
It is important to remember that surgery may be only part of the total care of a child with a cleft lip and/or palate. In some cases other surgeries may be needed to refine the shape and function of the area as the child grows. Also, other professionals such as a speech therapist, dentist, and/or pediatrician may need to be involved to provide care for the child’s best overall development . Fortunately with good medical care and attentive caregivers, much can be done to assure that children with cleft lips and palates can live a normal, happy, healthy life.
Face Lifts
| Nasal Surgery | Eyelid
Surgery | Forehead and Browlifts
| Ear Surgery | Facial
Implants | Skin Care
Skin
Resurfacing | Cleft Lip and
Palate Surgery | Facial
Injection Therapies: Botox, Lip Enhancement and Collagen