Cleft lip surgery: everything you need to know

Cleft lip is one of several types of congenital birth defects in babies. This condition is generally experienced by newborns to children. Cleft lip can be handled by surgery. So, how about cleft lip surgery in newborns and children? Check out the following information.

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What is the purpose of cleft lip surgery?

Babies and children with cleft lip generally experience the same symptoms.

Namely, the presence of a cleft in the upper lip and palate.

The cause of cleft lip can be due to genetic or hereditary factors, either carried by the mother or father.

In addition, cleft lip and palate can also be caused by parental lifestyle factors.

Babies born with cleft lip conditions should immediately undergo cleft lip surgery.

The purpose of performing the operation

Cleft lip surgery is the mainstay of treatment to realign the cleft lip that is formed in the baby's mouth.

This operation aims to repair the cleft in the lips and palate that is formed.

This is done so that the muscle function in this part of the face can work properly and facial appearance also becomes normal.

Launching from the Mayo Clinic, not only to restore the physical condition of his face.

However, this operation also aims to improve the ability to eat, speak, and hear normally.

So, it is hoped that the development of the baby's language can run properly and eat easily.

Cleft lip surgery in newborns and children can also help prevent dental growth problems.

You need to know, children with cleft palates are at risk of experiencing fluid buildup in the middle ear.

This can lead to ear infections and even hearing loss in the baby.

Therefore, it is important for them to have their ears checked once or twice per year.

When should a child have cleft lip surgery?

Time to have surgery

It should be noted that the health condition of each baby is different. However, it is better if cleft lip surgery is done before the age of one year.

Therefore, this operation should be done when the baby is 3 months to 6 months of age.

If the baby also has a cleft palate, repair surgery can be performed later at 10 to 12 months of age.

This palate repair is done by connecting the soft muscles to the palate and adjusting the tissue to close the gap.

This is so that the palate can work properly, especially for speaking.

Then, if needed, the child will undergo further surgery at the age of 2 years until he reaches adolescent development.

Cleft lip surgery stages

Handling for cleft lip cases in infants and children is not always the same.

Usually, doctors will adjust cleft lip surgery according to the age and severity of your little one.

In general, the following are the stages of cleft lip and mouth surgery based on the age of the baby and child:

1. Explanation of cleft lip surgery in newborns to parents.
2. 3 months old (rule over ten): Lip surgery and ear analysis and evaluation.
3. Age 10-12 months: Palato or cleft palate surgery and evaluation of hearing and ears.
4. Age 1-4 years: Evaluation of speech and speech therapy after three months postoperatively.
5. Age 4 years: Considered repalatoraphy or pharyngoplasty .
6. Age 6 years: Evaluate teeth and jaw and evaluate hearing.
7. Age 9-10 years: Alveolar bone graft, surgery to repair the jaw.
8. Age 12-13 years: Other improvements if needed.
9. Age 17 years: Evaluate facial bones.

Judging from the treatment schedule, cleft lip patients need at least one to two surgeries.

To be clearer, the following types of cleft lip surgery can be done:

1. Cleft lip repair surgery

Cleft lip repair surgery is a type of cleft lip surgery in the first stage.

This surgery is generally performed at least on children aged three months who experience cleft lip.

Initially, the baby will be sedated first so that the cleft in the lips can be repaired.

For 1-2 hours, the doctor will perform the operation by joining the cleft lip and closing it with stitches.

Once the operation is finished, your little one is recommended to be hospitalized for 1 to 2 days at least until the stitches have healed.

Yes, babies and children will indeed have a little scar on their lips.

But don't worry, there are surgeons who will help disguise the scars so that your child's lips will look as normal as possible.

2. Cleft palate repair surgery

After the cleft lip repair surgery is complete, the doctor will perform a second operation in the form of repairing the cleft palate.

This type of surgery is usually performed on children aged 6-12 months.

In this operation, the doctor will close the gap as well as adjust the muscles in the lining of the roof of the child's mouth.

This process usually takes about 2 hours to complete.

Just like the first stage of surgery, your little one is recommended to be hospitalized for 1-3 days until his health condition is completely recovered.

The difference is, the stitch marks of this operation are not very visible from the outside because they are done on the inside of the mouth.

3. Additional cleft lip surgery

In some cases, children who have cleft lip need additional surgery.

This depends on the needs of each patient and how severe the effects of cleft lip are experienced by the patient.

A number of operations to treat the additional lip cleft include:

a. Bone graft surgery

Bone graft surgery is performed to repair gaps in the gums, stabilize the maxilla, and facilitate the growth of permanent teeth.

This treatment is usually performed on children aged 8-12 years.

b. Pharyngoplasty

Pharyngoplasty is an additional cleft lip surgery to help improve the child's ability to speak.

c. Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty is an operation to improve the shape of the child's nose to become more perfect.

This is done because the cleft in the cleft lip will also affect the shape of the little one's nose.

d. Jaw repair surgery

Some children with cleft lip tend to have a smaller lower jaw than other normal children.

This jaw correction surgery can help make the jaw look better so that it can smoothen the function of the jaw.

The procedure is commonly referred to as alveolar cleft grafting it can also improve dental arches.

This can allow permanent teeth to grow in the correct space.

e. Ear canal surgery

Ear canal surgery is performed by attaching a small coil-shaped tube to the eardrum.

This aims to prevent the buildup of ear fluid which can cause hearing loss in children.

f. Operations to improve appearance and function

This additional operation may be needed if previous cleft lip surgeries have not yielded significant results.

What are the risks of cleft lip surgery?

Possible risks

Just like other surgeries, cleft lip surgery also has side effects.

These side effects can include bleeding, infection, and scarring.

In fact, babies or children can also experience temporary or permanent disturbances in nerves, blood vessels, or other body structures.

Therefore, you should first consult your doctor to get advice on the right type of cleft lip surgery for your baby or child.

Apart from surgery, children will also be given other follow-up care in the form of speech therapy and dental and oral health care.

The goal is that children can return to speak fluently and be able to adapt well after undergoing surgery.

How much is the estimated cost of cleft lip surgery?

The estimated cost of cleft lip surgery for newborns and children can vary.

The difference in the cost of this operation is usually determined by the actions of the doctor, doctor's consultation, and other extras.

So, please consult further to get more information about cleft lip surgery.