The majority of cleft palate repair procedures are successful, but complications may become serious and life threatening in some cases. Complications can develop during surgery or recovery. The general risks of surgery include: Anesthesia reaction, such as an allergic reaction and problems with breathing.

Is cleft palate surgery risky?

Review: The common complications of cleft palate repair are fistulae, velopharyngeal insufficiency and detrimental effect on maxillary growth. Palatal fistula is commonly stated in literature with variable incidence ranging from 3-40% ¹ , with an average of 7-10%.

Can cleft palate cause death?

Babies born with a cleft lip may also have a cleft palate, where the roof of the mouth is split. These birth defects can be repaired surgically. But unless that is done, it can result in significant disabilities and even death.

How long does a cleft palate surgery take?

This surgery usually takes between 2 to 6 hours, depending on the type of cleft palate repair your child needs. Your child will stay overnight for at least 1 day after the surgery.

Is cleft palate surgery painful?

Some pain is normal after palate repair. Your surgeon and medical team will work together to achieve the best pain control possible, but your child may still experience discomfort.

What to Expect After Cleft Palate Surgery

What age do you repair cleft palate?

Cleft Palate Repair

A cleft palate usually is repaired with surgery called palatoplasty (PAL-eh-tuh-plass-tee) when the baby is 10–12 months old. The goals of palatoplasty are to: Close the opening between the nose and mouth.

What happens in cleft palate surgery?

Palate repair surgery is usually done when your baby is 6 to 12 months old. The gap in the roof of the mouth is closed and the muscles and the lining of the palate are rearranged. The wound is closed with dissolvable stitches. The operation usually takes about 2 hours and is done using a general anaesthetic.

What are the complications after cleft palate repair?

Surgical repair of cleft palate is associated with three major long-term complications: palatal fistula, velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI), and midface hypoplasia—which could be considered also as metrics and quality indicators [6, 7].

Is cleft palate hereditary?

The causes of cleft lip and cleft palate (or both) are unknown, although hereditary (genetic) factors sometimes play a small role. A cleft lip or cleft palate (or both) is not caused by anything the parents did or did not do during the pregnancy.

Can you nurse a baby with a cleft palate?

Babies with a cleft lip, but no cleft palate, can usually breastfeed. With a cleft palate, poor suction can make it very difficult. You can pump your breast milk and feed your baby with a special bottle provided by a feeding specialist or speech therapist.

Does drinking cause cleft palate?

Smoking or drinking alcohol during pregnancy.

Women who binge drink during the first weeks of pregnancy are more likely to have a baby with a cleft lip or cleft palate than other women. Binge drinking is when you drink four or more drinks in 2 to 3 hours.

Is cleft lip and palate curable?

The good news is that cleft palate with unilateral cleft lip is treatable. Most babies born with orofacial clefts can have surgery to repair the defect within their first year, and will go on to lead normal, healthy lives. They may, however, need to have additional surgeries as they grow older.

Can you tell if your baby has cleft lip ultrasound?

Cleft lip may be detected with ultrasound beginning around the 13th week of pregnancy. As the fetus continues developing, it may be easier to accurately diagnose a cleft lip. Cleft palate that occurs alone is more difficult to see using ultrasound.

Can you detect cleft palate before birth?

Cleft palate and cleft lip can be detected in-utero (before birth). If an ultrasound reveals your baby has these conditions, a treatment plan can be developed even before the child is born.

Can cleft palate be fixed in adults?

Treatments currently available to infants and children with cleft lip and palate are also available to adults with clefts. Although every attempt is made to complete cleft care by the late teens, some ongoing treatment still may be required or some unmet patient need may become apparent in later years.

What are the complications of cleft lip and palate?

• Feeding difficulties. Feeding difficulties occur more with cleft palate abnormalities. ...
• Ear infections and hearing loss. ...
• Speech and language delay. ...
• Dental problems.

What foods cause cleft lip?

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Pregnant women who eat a meat-rich, fruit-poor diet may be doubling their baby's likelihood of being born with a cleft lip or cleft palate, Dutch researchers report.

Does cleft lip come from mother or father?

Some families have a history of clefting. There may be a grandparent, parent, cousin, brother or sister, or another relative who has had a cleft palate. This may be passed on from generation to generation. However, only 1 out of every 5 clefts are inherited.

What is the main cause of cleft palate?

Cleft lip and cleft palate are thought to be caused by a combination of genes and other factors, such as things the mother comes in contact with in her environment, or what the mother eats or drinks, or certain medications she uses during pregnancy.

Which is the best time to surgical repair of cleft palate?

Cleft palates are typically repaired between 8 and 12 months of age. Clefts of the soft palate can usually be repaired early (8 to 10 months of age). Clefts of the hard and soft palate are best repaired later (10 to 12 months of age).

How do babies eat after cleft lip surgery?

Breastfeeding and bottle-feeding are generally restricted immediately after cleft lip repair. Alternative feeding methods such as the use of a spoon, cup or syringe are recommended to avoid placing tension on the surgical incision.

What age can baby have cleft lip surgery?

Cleft lip repair: A cleft lip usually is repaired between 3 and 6 months of age. Many things will determine the right time for surgery; the right time for one child may not be good for another. Cleft palate repair: A cleft palate is commonly fixed between 9 and 14 months of age.

How many surgeries does it take to fix a cleft palate?

A minimum of one surgery is required to repair a cleft palate. The requirement for further surgeries depends on the patient's progress. A separate surgery will be used to repair the lip; additional surgeries may be needed to make the lip appear normal or improve speech.

Can a cleft lip reopen?

There is a small chance that the cleft could re-open or a small hole could develop. In some cases, this may close without further treatment but sometimes further surgery may be needed.

How do doctors repair a cleft palate?

The only way to repair a cleft palate is by surgery. The goal is to close the opening in the roof of the child's mouth. Your child will be in the operating room for only a few hours. The hospital stay is usually 1 to 3 days.