Is cleft palate surgery a major surgery?
Cleft palate repair closes the opening in the palate to restore the structure and function of the palate. Cleft palate repair is a major surgery with serious risks and potential complications. Most children with cleft palate have the surgery between nine and 12 months of age.
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. For pain, your child may be prescribed a medicine called either Oxycodone or Lortab.
Is cleft lip surgery painful?
Your child may need pain medicine for the first few days after surgery. The area around your child’s mouth will be swollen for the first week or two after surgery. He or she may be more fussy than usual. Most children are back to their usual behavior about a week after surgery.
How do they repair a bilateral cleft palate?
In palate repair surgery, a plastic surgeon will: Close the cleft in layers. Rearrange and repair the muscles of the soft palate so they work better during speech. Make two incisions (cuts) on each side of the palate behind the gums to ease tension on the palate repair.
How do babies eat after cleft palate surgery?
Drinking and Eating
- Give soft, pureed or mashed foods for 3 weeks.
- Do not give foods that have chunks, lumps or pieces, such as seeds, grains, pulp or skin.
- Do not give hard, crunchy foods such as cold cereal, cookies, crackers or chips.
- Use only a spoon for feeding.
- Do not let your child feed themself.
Is cleft lip surgery safe?
Most cleft lip repairs 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 surgery painful?
Some pain is normal after surgery. Your child will be sent home with pain medicine and an antibiotic. For the first few days after surgery, you may see the following: There may be a small amount of blood in the mucous or saliva (spit) for several days.
Can you get disability for cleft palate?
FACT: A cleft is not a ‘disability’. It may affect a child in ways that mean they need extra help, but most children with a cleft are not affected by any other condition and are capable of doing just as well at school as any other child.