MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Cleft lip and palate repair

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Cleft lip and palate repair

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Definition Description Indications	Risks Expectations after surgery Convalescence

Illustrations

Throat anatomy

Cleft lip repair - series

Definition Return to top

A cleft lip and palate repair is a surgical procedure to repair birth defects of the upper lip and roof of the mouth. A cleft lip is an abnormal opening in the middle of the upper lip. A cleft palate is an opening in the roof of the mouth (palate).

Cleft lip repair is usually done within 6 to 12 weeks of age. Cleft palate repair is generally postponed until later to take advantage of the palatal changes that occur with normal growth. Most surgeons repair a cleft palate between 9 months to 1 year before the child develops faulty speech habits.

Description Return to top

While the baby is anesthetized and asleep (general anesthesia), the tissues around the defect are trimmed and sewn together with several layers of stitches (absorbable sutures). The skin is sewn together with very small, fine stitches (sutures) to make the scar as small as possible. In cleft palate repair, tissue from the roof of the mouth may be shifted over to cover the deficient soft palate. Occasionally more than one surgery is required for complete palate closure.

Indications Return to top

Cleft lip repair and cleft palate repair are indicated for:

repair of physical deformity
nursing, feeding, or speech problems resulting from cleft lip or palate

Risks Return to top

Risks for anesthesia are:

reactions to medications
breathing problems

Risks for surgery are:

bleeding
infection

Expectations after surgery Return to top

Most babies heal without complications. The cosmetic result often depends on the severity of the deformity and is usually quite good.

Convalescence Return to top

The average hospital stay is 5 to 7 days. Complete recovery may take up to 4 weeks. Some children continue to have speech defects after the surgery because of muscle problems in the palate. Speech therapy is then required.

Update Date: 11/4/2003

Updated by: Hebe Molmenti, M.D., Ph.D., Private Practice specializing in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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