Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate

• Cleft Lip


  Results from failure of the maxillary and median nasal processes to fuse.
• Cleft Palate 


  A midline fissure of the palate that results from failure of the two sides to fuse.
• Cleft lip is more common in males
• Cleft palate is more common in females
• Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate

  S/sx:

  • colic
  • upper respiratory tract infection
  • (+) aspiration
  • otitis media - ear problem
• Surgery

  Cleft Lip: Cheiloplasty

  Cleft Palate: Palatoplasty or Uranoplasty
• Surgery

  Best done when:

  • Cleft Lip: 1st week to save sucking reflex
  • Cleft Palate: 12 to 18 months to save speech of child
• Position Post-Operative:

  Cheiloplasty: Side-lying (Unaffected) side

  Palatoplasty: Prone
• Eating

  Cheiloplasty - rubber-tipped syringe; or cross-cut nipples

  Palatoplasty - paper cup; soup spoon (no straw; no fork)
• Care of the child after surgery

  • Elbow restraint should be applied to prevent trauma to the suture line.
  • Logan bar is applied in the area to reduce tension on the suture line.
  • Clean with half-strength hydrogen peroxide
  • Crying should be prevented. Advise parents to carry the child when starts to cry.