What do I need to know for my first Cleft Team visit?
After the birth of a newborn with a cleft lip and/or cleft palate, the first visit can be arranged with a multi-disciplinary care team for a full evaluation. Much of the initial focus after birth is on efficient feeding of the infant. With a cleft palate, special bottles will be provided to help the infant create the appropriate suction pressure, which sometimes amounts to just a single extra valve insert placed inside the bottle. Plans for surgical repair of the cleft can also be outlined at this first visit.
How many surgeries will my child need?
As noted above, cleft lip and/or palate can differ significantly from one child to the next. While at least one surgical procedure is required for repair of a cleft lip and repair of a cleft palate, additional surgeries may be needed over time as the child continues to grow and develop. In approximately 20% of children with a cleft palate, even with successful surgical repair, a second surgical procedure may be needed to improve speech. If needed, this is often recommended after at least 3 years of age, once the child’s speech patterns become more evident and after a trained speech therapist has performed an evaluation. The decision to perform additional surgery for speech is made jointly with parents, speech therapists, and often others from the multi-disciplinary care team. In children with clefts that affect the lip and palate, or the lip and gum ridges, the cleft will also affect development of the permanent teeth as they begin to erupt in this area. As a result of this, surgery for “bone grafting” is also generally recommended in these instances. To ensure proper timing of this procedure, typically around age 7-10 years, children with cleft lip and/or palate are followed closely by dental professionals such as specialized pediatric dentists and orthodontists. Finally, additional surgeries may be recommended when children are completing their growth, such as septorhinoplasty surgery for improvement of nasal appearance or breathing, lip scar revision, or surgery on the jaws to correct an abnormal “underbite.”
Why choose an FSPS member plastic surgeon?
Pediatric/craniofacial plastic surgeons who also participate in FSPS are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, have extensive experience with cleft lip and palate care, and have hospital privileges to ensure safe and responsible care for patients requiring surgery for these conditions.
