Cleft Palate Surgery, Pediatric

Cleft Lip, Cleft Palate Surgery, Pediatric

A cleft lip is an opening in the lip, and a cleft palate is an opening in the roof of the mouth. Cleft lip, cleft palate surgery is done to close this opening so that a child can eat and speak normally. If the cleft is visible, the surgery can also help improve the child 's appearance.

Children who have a severe opening or who have more than one opening may need to have this surgery more than once.

LET YOUR CHILD 'S HEALTH CARE PROVIDER KNOW ABOUT:

Any allergies your child has.

All medicines your child is taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.

Previous problems your child or members of your family have had with the use of anesthetics.

Difficulty breathing (rare).

Loss of feeling (numbness) in the face, lips, gums, or roof of the mouth.

Long-term problems include:

Scarring.

Damage to the skin.

Damage to blood vessels in the area.

Unevenness to the roof of the mouth.

Loss of feeling (numbness) in the face, lips, gums, or roof of the mouth (rare).

BEFORE THE PROCEDURE

Follow instructions from your child 's health care provider about eating or drinking restrictions.

Ask your child 's health care provider about:

Changing or stopping your child 's regular medicines. This is especially important if your child is taking diabetes medicines or blood thinners.

Taking medicines such as aspirin and ibuprofen. These medicines can thin your child 's blood. Do not give these medicines to your child before the procedure if your child 's health care provider instructs you not to.

Make plans to stay in the hospital with your child. Your child may need to stay in the hospital for up to 3 days. Ask your child 's health care provider what to expect. You might want to make a schedule so adults can take turns staying with your child.

For a cleft lip, the skin and muscle layers on both sides of the cleft will be stitched together.

For a cleft palate, tissue and muscles on the roof of the mouth will be repositioned. Then the area is stitched closed.

For a cleft palate, tubes may be put in the ears to help prevent ear infections.

Skin glue, an antibiotic ointment, or adhesive strips may be applied to the incision.

A bandage (dressing) may be placed on the incision.

The procedure may vary among health care providers and hospitals.

AFTER THE PROCEDURE

Your child will stay in a recovery area. You may be able to sit with your child during this time.

Your child will be sleepy and groggy for most of the day. Your child 's mouth and face may be swollen or bruised. The swelling and bruising should go away within a week.

The IV that was placed in your child 's arm may be used to give your child fluids.

Your child 's blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and blood oxygen level will be monitored often until the medicines have worn off.

Your child will be moved to a hospital room once the medicines have worn off.

Your child will need to stay in the hospital for up to 3 days, depending on how quickly he or she recovers.

Your child will be given