Reconstructive Surgery for Children | Child Cleft Lip and Palate
Surgery for child cleft lip and palate is performed in conjunction with a team of experts from the Evelina London Cleft Service based at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital. The usual expectation would be for long-term care follow-up into adulthood.
The patient will need a general anaesthetic.
For children with cleft palate alone, surgery will be performed at age 9-12 months approximately provided there are no medical reasons for delay.
For children with a cleft of the lip and palate, two episodes of surgery in the first year are usual. The first involving repair of the anterior palate (vomer flap) at the same time as lip repair. Then, the second is the completion of the cleft repair of the palate.
One or two post-operative nights in the hospital are expected. As well as this, some discomfort for the first couple of weeks after surgery. One parent is always able to stay overnight with their child.
Follow-up is usual. This is in relation to scar management, speech, dental health, and facial growth.