Why is this procedure done?
A cleft lip is an opening or slit in the upper lip. This may happen on one or both sides of the lip. This may look like a small slit in the upper lip or a slit that goes all the way to the nose. A cleft palate is an opening in the roof of the mouth. The palate is the roof of the mouth. This may look like one or two openings in the roof of the mouth. These have not formed normally. Your child may need a few surgeries to fix these problems. ‚
The first surgery is often to fix the lip. It may be done as soon as 6 weeks after a baby is born. Often, the first surgery to fix the roof of the mouth is done before a baby turns 1 year old. Cleft lip and cleft palate repair may be done in stages over a few years. ‚
What will the results be?
- Cleft lip and cleft palate will be closed.
- Eating will be improved.
- Speech will be improved.
What happens before the procedure?
- The doctor will take your childs history and do an exam. The doctor may order:
- Talk to the doctor about when you need to stop feeding your child before the procedure.
What happens during the procedure?
- Once your child is in the operating room, a drug will be given to make your child sleepy. It will also help your child stay pain free during the surgery. The staff will put an I.V. in your childs arm to give fluids and drugs.
- In cleft lip repair, the doctor will remove some tissue around the cleft. The doctor will pull the cleft together with stitches and cover it with clean bandages. The doctor will schedule another surgery after 1 month to repair the other cleft if your child has two clefts (bilateral cleft lip). This procedure may take 2 hours.
- In cleft palate repair, the doctor will remove some tissues around the cleft. The doctor will move or reposition the palate muscles together. The doctor will pull the cleft together using stitches. Your child's doctor may need to do more than one surgery to close the palate fully. This procedure may take 2 to 4 hours.
- More surgeries may be needed to improve your child's speech function and how the lip looks.
What happens after the procedure?
- Your child will go to the Recovery Room after surgery. The staff will watch your child closely.
- Your child will feel pain after the surgery. The staff will give drugs to help with the pain.
- Your childs doctor may order arm restraints for when your child is sleeping. These may also be used when no one is directly watching your child. With these restraints, your child is not able to touch the surgery site.
What problems could happen?
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Ear infection
- Dental problems
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough.
- Signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the cut site; cut site opens up.
- Signs of fluid loss. These include small amount of urine, sunken soft spot, lack of tears when crying, dry lips.
- Bleeding
- Throwing up
- Irritability or always crying
- Trouble breathing
- Not able to sleep
- Not able to eat or drink
Where can I learn more?
American Society of Plastic Surgeons ‚
http://www.plasticsurgery.org/reconstructive-procedures/cleft-lip-and-palate.html ‚
KidsHealth ‚
http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/ears/cleft_lip_palate.html# ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚