Cleft Lip and Palate Surgery
Surgery is performed in the hospital under general anesthesia. The child is admitted to the hospital one day before surgery. The surgical procedure for closure of a cleft palate and unilateral cleft lip and nose deformity generally requires between one to two hours. The hospital stay is usually 48 hours post-operatively.
After the surgery is completed, the child is taken to the recovery room for careful monitoring. When your child has safely recovered from anesthesia and is waking up, you will be able to be with him or her before returning to the child’s hospital room. During the rest of your child’s stay, you will learn how to care for the operative wound.
Surgery for Improvement of Speech.
Surgical procedures such as pharyngeal flap or pharyngoplasty can correct long-standing cases of velopharyngeal insufficiency. Combined with intensive speech therapy, even adults can achieve more normal speech.
OTHER THERAPIES
A Number of surgical, orthodontic and speech related therapies are available for adults who desire additional treatment. In addition, psychological and social consultations can help people deal with the impact of cleft lip and/or palate problems.
