A Cleft lip and cleft palate are the result of birth defect. Cleft lip and cleft palate are the openings or splits in the upper lip, the roof of the mouth or both. This result in difficulty to eat, speak, hear and breathe. The major cause behind this problem genetic defect.
Pre Surgery
Cleft lip and cleft palate surgery is used to repair the spilt lip and palate. This surgery may be performed one or more times depends on the severity patient have.
This procedure is done under General anaesthesia. Generally cleft lip and cleft palate is noticed at the time of birth only and doctor will advise how to go further for these procedures. Depending on the severity child have, doctor will plan surgery from the age of 9 months to 12 months and may require multiple surgeries.
Before surgery, doctor will take child’s medical history, physical examination and …show more content…
Within first 12 months of age of child Cleft Lip repair will be done, by the age of 18 months or earlier cleft palate repair will be done and follow up surgery’s will be done between the age of 2 and late teen years.
Surgery & Hospitalization
Under general anaesthesia, surgery will take place. Surgeon will make incisions on both sides of the cleft and creates flaps of tissue, than the flaps are than stitched together to repair the cleft lip and for cleft palate surgeon will make incision on both sides of the cleft and repositions the tissues and muscles. This repair is than stitched closed and results in normal lip appearance, structure and function.
For children with cleft palate ear tube surgery also requires in which ear tubes may be placed, for around 6 months of age, to reduce the risk of chronic ear fluid, which can lead to hearing loss. This involves the placement of bobbin-shaped tubes in the eardrum to create an opening to prevent fluid buildup.
Additional surgeries may require to improve the appearance of mouth, lip and