Cleft Lip and Palate
Wylie, Texas
A cleft lip and cleft palate represent common birth defects emerging during early fetal development. The condition involves "the separation of the two sides of your child's upper lip, appearing as a narrow or wide opening that can extend to the roof of the mouth," while a cleft palate is "a split or opening in the roof of your child's mouth." These abnormalities may occur independently or simultaneously, varying in severity.
Beyond cosmetic concerns, the defects cause functional and developmental complications including hearing loss, dental problems, and speech difficulties. Surgical intervention remains the sole corrective approach.
Cleft Lip Surgery
Cleft lip surgery occurs between 3-6 months of age under general anesthesia. The surgeon creates incisions on either side of the cleft, drawing the resulting skin flaps together and securing them with dissolvable stitches. The procedure typically requires less than two hours, with overnight hospitalization for monitoring.
Cleft Palate Surgery
Cleft palate surgery is typically performed around 12 months of age. The surgeon makes incisions alongside the palate, loosening tissue layers to stretch them across the separation before securing with dissolvable stitches. This procedure takes 2-3 hours or longer depending on severity, and may require future additional surgery.
Recovery
Recovery typically requires approximately four weeks, though palate repair may extend this timeline.
