HOME   |   PROCEDURES   |   CLEFT LIP AND PALATE In the early weeks of development, long before a child is born, the right and left sides of the lip and the roof of the mouth normally grow together. In about one of every 800 babies, those sections don't quite meet. A child born with a separation in the upper lip is said to have a "cleft lip." A similar birth defect in the roof of the mouth, or palate, is called a "cleft palate." Since the lip and the palate develop separately, it is possible for a child to have a cleft lip, a cleft palate, or variations of both. What is it? In the early weeks of development, long before a child is born, the right and left sides of the lip and the roof of the mouth normally grow together. In about one of every 800 babies, those sections don't quite meet. A child born with a separation in the upper lip is said to have a "cleft lip." A similar birth defect in the roof of the mouth, or palate, is called a "cleft palate." Since the lip and the palate develop separately, it is possible for a child to have a cleft lip, a cleft palate, or variations of both. If your child was born with either or both of these conditions, your doctor will probably recommend surgery to repair it. Medical professionals have made great advances in treating children with clefts and can do a lot to help your child lead a normal, healthy, happy life. A team approach Children born with a cleft lip or palate may need the skills of several medical professionals to correct the problems. In addition to needing plastic surgery to repair the opening, these children may have problems with their feeding and their teeth, their hearing, their speech, and their psychological development. For that reason, parents should seek the help of a cleft lip and palate team as early as possible. Edina Plastic Surgery and other medical professionals with special experience in cleft lip and palate have formed such teams all over the country. They can help parents plan for their child's care from birth, or even before. Typically, a cleft team might include a plastic surgeon, a pediatrician, a dentist, a speech and language specialist, a social worker, a hearing specialist, an ear-nose-throat specialist, a psychologist, a nurse, and a genetic counselor. Ask your doctor for a referral to a cleft team in your area. For more information, contact The Cleft Palate Clinic, (612) 625-5945. Uncertainty and risk When surgery is done by one of Edina Plastic Surgery's board certified plastic surgeons with experience in repairing cleft lip or palate, the results can be quite positive. Nevertheless, as with any operation, there are risks associated with surgery and specific complications associated with this procedure. In cleft lip surgery, the most common problem is asymmetry, when one side of the mouth and nose does not match the other side. The goal of cleft lip surgery is to close the separation in the first operation. Occasionally, a second operation may be needed. In cleft palate surgery, the goal is to close the opening in the roof of the mouth so the child can eat and learn to speak properly. Occasionally, poor healing in the palate or poor speech may require a second operation. Planning for surgery At your initial consultation, your doctor will discuss the details of the procedure he or she will use, including where the surgery will be performed, the type of anesthesia to be used, possible risks and complications, recovery, costs, and the results you can expect. Your surgeon will also answer any questions you may have about feeding your baby both before and after the surgery. In most cases, health insurance policies will cover most or all of the cost of cleft lip or cleft palate surgery. Check your policy to make sure your child is covered and to check any limitations on types of treatment. Cleft lip surgery A cleft lip can range in severity from a slight notch in the red part of the upper lip to a complete separation of the lip extending into the nose. Clefts can occur on one or both sides of the upper lip. Surgery is generally done when the child is about 10 weeks old. A cleft lip is a separation of the upper lip that can extend into the nose. To repair a cleft lip, the surgeon will first make an incision on each side of the cleft from the lip to the nostril. To repair a cleft lip, the surgeon will make an incision on either side of the cleft from the mouth into the nostril. He or she will then turn the dark pink outer portion of the cleft down and pull the muscle and the skin of the lip together to close the separation. Muscle function and the normal "cupid's bow" shape of the mouth are restored. The nostril deformity often associated with cleft lip may also be improved at the time of lip repair or in a later surgery. The cleft lip is then drawn together and stitched to create a normal "cupid's bow" shape to the upper lip. The scar left after surgery will gradually fade with time. Recovering from cleft lip surgery Your child may be restless for a while after surgery, but your doctor can prescribe medication to relieve any discomfort. Elbow restraints may be necessary for a few weeks to prevent your baby from rubbing the stitched area. If dressings have been used, they'll be removed within a day or two, and the stitches will either dissolve or be removed within five days. Your doctor will advise you on how to feed your child during the first few weeks after surgery. It's normal for the surgical scar to appear to get bigger and redder for a few weeks after surgery. This will gradually fade, although the scar will never totally disappear. In many children, however, it's barely noticeable because of the shadows formed by the nose and upper lip. Cleft palate surgery In some children, a cleft palate may involve only a tiny portion at the back of the roof of the mouth. For others, it can mean a complete separation that extends from front to back. Just as in cleft lip, cleft palate may appear on one or both sides of the upper mouth. However, repairing a cleft palate involves more extensive surgery and is usually done when the child is nine to 18 months old, so the baby is bigger and better able to tolerate surgery. > When the roof of the mouth doesn't grow together properly, the condition is called a cleft palate. To repair it, the surgeon will make an incision along both sides of the cleft. To repair a cleft palate, the surgeon will make an incision on both sides of the separation, moving tissue from each side of the cleft to the center or midline of the roof of the mouth. This rebuilds the palate, joining muscle together and providing enough length in the palate so the child can eat and learn to speak properly. Tissue is drawn together from both sides of the cleft to rebuild the roof of the mouth. Recovering from cleft palate surgery For a day or two, your child will probably feel some soreness and pain, which is easily controlled by medication. During this period, you child will not eat or drink as much as usual--so an intravenous line will be used to maintain fluid levels. Elbow restraints may be used to prevent your baby from rubbing the repaired area. Your doctor will advise you on how to feed your child during the first few weeks after surgery. It's crucial that you follow your doctor's advice on feeding to allow the palate to heal properly. The repaired lip or palate Children with a cleft palate are particularly prone to ear infections because the cleft can interfere with the function of the middle ear. To permit proper drainage and air circulation, the ear-nose-and-throat surgeon on the cleft palate team may recommend that a small plastic ventilation tube be inserted in the eardrum. This relatively minor operation may be done later or at the time of the cleft repair. In addition, surgery may be recommended by your plastic surgeon when your child is older to refine the shape and function of the lip, nose, gums, and palate. You'll want to discuss further needs with the members of your cleft team. It's important to keep in mind that surgery to repair a cleft lip or palate is only the beginning of the process. Family support is critical. Love and understanding will help your child grow up with a sense of self-esteem that extends beyond the physical defect. Copy and Illustrations were adapted from the joint ASPS and PSEF website.