Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate
Cleft lip is a congenital condition where there’s a split or open section of the upper lip. This opening can occur at any point along the top lip and can extend as high as the nose.
Cleft palate is where a defect exists in the hard or the soft palate at the roof of the mouth. This leaves an opening between the mouth and the nasal cavity. The cleft lip and the cleft palate can occur together or on their own.
Who needs Cleft lip and Cleft palate treatment?
Babies born with a cleft lip or cleft palate may have difficulties eating (both from the breast and a bottle). They may also have trouble speaking, and they often have fluid behind their eardrum that can affect hearing. Most cases of cleft lip and cleft palate are noticed right away at birth and don’t require special tests for diagnosis
When to see a specialist?
A cleft lip and cleft palate are usually noticed at birth, and your doctor may start coordinating care at that time. If your baby has signs and symptoms of a submucous cleft palate, make an appointment with your child’s doctor.
Procedures
Cleft lip repair- Cleft lip surgery performed within the first 3 to 6 months of age. To repair the cleft lip the surgeon makes incisions on both sides of the cleft to close the separation in the lip and creates flaps of tissue. The flaps are then stitched together, including the lip muscles. The repair should create a more normal lip appearance, structure and function. Initial nasal repair, if needed, is usually done at the same time.
Cleft palate repair- Cleft palate surgery performed by the age of 12 months, or earlier if possible. To repair the cleft palate the surgeon makes incisions on both sides of the cleft and repositions the tissue and muscles. The repair is then stitched closed. Various procedures may be used to close the separation and rebuild the roof of the mouth (hard and soft palate), depending on your child’s situation.
Ear tube surgery- For children with cleft palate, ear tubes may be placed to reduce the risk of chronic ear fluid, which can lead to hearing loss. Ear tube surgery involves placing tiny bobbin-shaped tubes in the eardrum to create an opening to prevent fluid buildup.
Surgery to reconstruct appearance – Additional surgeries may be needed to improve the appearance of the mouth, lip and nose.
Recovery
After the surgery, most babies are in hospital for 1 to 2 days. Arrangements may be made for you to stay with them during this time. Your child will have a slight scar, but the surgeon will try to line up the scar with the natural lines of the lip, to make it less noticeable and in case of cleft palate the scar from cleft palate repair will be inside the mouth. The stitches will be removed after a few days or may dissolve on their own.
Risks
Possible cleft surgery risks include:
Bleeding
Damage to deeper structures – such as nerves, blood vessels, muscles and auditory canal can occur and may be temporary or permanent
Infection
Irregular healing of scars including shortening, thickening or overgrowth
Poor healing of incisions
Possibility of revisional surgery
Residual irregularities and asymmetries in the lip or nose
Respiratory problems after surgery
Benefits of Cleft lip and Cleft palate treatment?
Surgery to correct a cleft lip or palate helps your child’s lips and mouth function properly and lowers the risk of certain health conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cleft lip and Cleft palate?
Cleft lip and cleft palate are openings or splits in the upper lip, the roof of the mouth (palate) or both. Cleft lip and cleft palate result when facial structures that are developing in an unborn baby don’t close completely.
How are cleft lip and cleft palate treatment performed?
To repair the cleft lip the surgeon makes incisions on both sides of the cleft to close the separation in the lip and creates flaps of tissue. The flaps are then stitched together, including the lip muscles. The repair should create a more normal lip appearance, structure and function. Initial nasal repair, if needed, is usually done at the same time.
To repair the cleft palate the surgeon makes incisions on both sides of the cleft and repositions the tissue and muscles. The repair is then stitched closed. Various procedures may be used to close the separation and rebuild the roof of the mouth (hard and soft palate), depending on your child’s situation.
Is Cleft lip and Cleft palate treatment painful?
Your child is under general anesthesia, so they won’t feel pain. They’ll be uncomfortable after the pain medication wears off.
How long does Cleft lip and Cleft palate treatment take?
The operation usually takes about 2 hours. Most children are in hospital for 1 to 3 days, and again arrangements may be made for you to stay with them.
What are the risks of Cleft lip and Cleft palate treatment?
There are several risks include Bleeding, Infection, respiratory problems, Poor healing of incisions, Residual irregularities and asymmetries in the lip or nose etc.
Treatment Plans
- Trauma & intensive care $59
- Aged Care $29
- Community Services $25
- Diagnosis & Investigation $48
- Medical & Surgical $82
- Mental Health $74
- Rehabitation $24
- Specialised Support Service $19
- Trauma & intensive care $59
- Aged Care $29
- Community Services $25
- Diagnosis & Investigation $48
- Medical & Surgical $82
- Mental Health $74
- Rehabitation $24
- Specialised Support Service $19
Treatians As The Best Choice
Treatians understand that seeking medical treatment abroad can be a daunting experience for patients and their families. That’s why the company offers end-to-end support to its clients, from the initial consultation to post-treatment care. The company provides personalized treatment plans that are tailored to meet the individual needs of each patient, and its team of dedicated professionals is always on hand to provide guidance and support throughout the entire process. Contact us at +91-7982312582, drop your email [email protected]
- Trauma & intensive care
- Aged Care
- Community Services
- Diagnosis & Investigation
- Medical & Surgical
- Mental Health
- Rehabitation
- Specialised Support Service
Service Recipient Says
Oxmox advised her not to do so, because there were thousands of bad Commas, wild Question Marks and devious.
Kolis Muller NY CitizenOxmox advised her not to do so, because there were thousands of bad Commas, wild Question Marks and devious.
Kolis Muller NY Citizen
Oxmox advised her not to do so, because there were thousands of bad Commas, wild Question Marks and devious.
Kolis Muller NY Citizen