Cleft palate surgery is a treatment used to repair an opening in the upper region of the mouth. This opening is congenital. When tissues fail to join the right way in the fetus, this condition develops in infants. It may develop singularly or in co-occurrence with cleft lip.

The surgery serves the following purposes:

To close the opening in the palate, separate the oral and nasal cavities, and to prevent complications and to promote healthy speech development.

Types of Cleft Palate

Although the types of cleft palate are many and each is distinct where treatments vary for each type, the main categories are listed below:

Incomplete Cleft Palate: A cleft that extends till the rear of the mouth in the soft palate.
Complete Cleft Palate: This includes hard and soft palates.
Submucous Cleft Palate: It covers the lining of the mucous membrane

Suitable Age for this Surgery

This medical procedure is typically performed when a child is around 12 months old or before they learn to speak.

If your child has a cleft lip, surgery to treat it comes first. Your youngster may require two or more procedures to fix a cleft palate.
Some cleft palate treatments (such as gum or jaw surgery) can be considered for children over the age of ten.

Reasons that Cause Cleft Palate

As described above cleft palate is a condition acquired at birth. Below are some causes that lead to this condition:

A cleft palate develops when the tissue that makes up the palate do not absolutely join together at some point of pregnancy.
The specific cause of this defect is unknown. Yet, a combination of genetic and environmental factors are the main agents.

Procedure

A team of doctors works in collaboration during and after the surgery. Initially the infant is made asleep. Later an intravenous injection is given into the hand so that the baby does not feel any pain. The anesthesiologist will be there till the surgery is over.

The procedure in brief is as follows:

To keep the mouth open, a suitable device is inserted.
Cuts are made on either side of the palate.
The tissues attached to the roof of the mouth and nasal cavity are rearranged and repaired. Tissues are loosened to make them elastic.
Now the tissues are brought in place and the opening is closed. To close the cut, the surgeon will use absorbable stitches.

After the Surgery

Your baby needs to be admitted to the hospital for a day or two. For some days after the surgery, complications may be felt that are as follows:

Blood from the saliva and some swellings should not be any botheration. Stitches in the mouth may persist for many days or weeks.
The sleeping habit of the infant may take some time to return.
There may be a change in the child’s eating after surgery. Ensure your child is hydrated well by taking plenty of liquids.
Antibiotics and pain relievers can be taken to get relief from pain.

Risks

The most common perils are:

Infection
Loss of blood
Reaction to anesthesia
Breathing issues
Surgery not being successful

Home-care Tips After the Surgery

Some tips when followed at home by the health care will ensure the speedy recovery in health of the child that include:

1. Drinking and eating:

The child will be taking liquids from a cup instead of a straw. Initially give the infant soft and pudding-like food for the coming two weeks. Foods that contain lumps or chunks should be avoided. Give the child plenty of liquids that will make sure he or she is hydrated. Monitoring the diaper can ensure this.

2. Incision handling:

It is possible that sutures may last up to a month. Bones that are open on the sides of the palate will heal by themselves. If the child’s mouth is reddened for a week, there is no need to panic.

3. Pain:

The pain medications and prescription drugs will give relief and should be given when the child feels uneasy. This pain may be felt for up to two weeks.

Most little ones return to their original activity after a week or 10 days. Your healthcare will best guide you on the recovery instructions that can vary and depend on the child’s medical history.

Cleft Palate Surgery Treatment