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cleft lip
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If you're considering surgery to correct
cleft lip or 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. Occasionally, however, 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. |
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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.
This information will give you a basic understanding of the operation
-- when it can help, how it's performed, and what results you can
expect. Since a lot depends on
you individual circumstances, Please be sure to ask your surgeon if
there is anything you don't understand about the procedure. |
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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, by breast or by bottle, both before and after the surgery.
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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.
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. |
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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.
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