What is cleft lip and palate repair?
Cleft lip and cleft palate repair is surgery to fix birth defects of the upper lip and palate (roof of the mouth).
Table of Contents
What is cleft lip and palate repair?
Cleft lip and cleft palate repair is surgery to fix birth defects of the upper lip and palate (roof of the mouth).
What is the surgical procedure for cleft lip and when will it be repaired age of child?
Lip repair surgery is usually done when your baby is around 3 months old. Credit: Your baby will be given a general anaesthetic (where they’re unconscious) and the cleft lip will be repaired and closed with stitches. The operation usually takes 1 to 2 hours.
What is the medical term for cleft lip?
A cleft palate is an opening or split in the roof of the mouth that occurs when the tissue doesn’t fuse together during development in the womb. A cleft palate often includes a split (cleft) in the upper lip (cleft lip) but can occur without affecting the lip.
How is cleft lip surgery done?
Cleft lip surgery is usually recommended at three to four months of life. In most cases, the tissue in the area around the cleft is rearranged to close the opening. An important part of the surgery involves detaching and repositioning the muscle of the lip to recreate the circular muscle around the mouth.
Are there different types of cleft palate?
Types of Cleft Palate A cleft in the back of the mouth in the soft palate. A cleft affecting the hard and soft parts of the palate. The mouth and nose cavities are exposed to each other. A cleft involving the hard and/or soft palate, covered by the mucous membrane lining the roof of the mouth.
How long does cleft lip surgery take to heal?
It usually takes about 3 to 4 weeks for the incision to heal. The incision will leave a pink or red scar. You can expect the scar to feel hard and tight at first. The scar should fade and become softer and flatter in the months and years after surgery.
How do babies eat after cleft lip surgery?
For a short while after surgery, your child may not eat as well as before surgery. Give soft, pureed or mashed foods for 3 weeks. There is a table on the last page that shows specific soft foods that are and are not allowed. Do not give foods that have chunks, lumps or pieces, such as seeds, grains, pulp or skin.