Cleft lip surgery is a surgical procedure performed to treat cleft lip condition. A cleft lip is a separation in one or both sides of the lip that is present at the birth. The condition occurs when the baby is inside the mother’s womb, and his/her left and right sides of the face along with the roof of the mouth join together, or else it fuses. If both sides do not come together appropriately then, an opening in the lip occurs, and if this opening is on just one side of the face, it is known as a unilateral cleft, and if it is on both sides of the face, it is known as a bilateral cleft.
A cleft lip that goes up to the nose is called a complete cleft lip, or else it is called an incomplete cleft lip. This cleft should not be ignored as if left untreated children with cleft lip can face many problems in terms of growth, feeding, development, hearing, speech, infections, and facial appearance. Cleft left can be treated through surgery in a child’s life amid three to six months of age. Cleft lip surgery helps to correct the cleft, and it leaves behind minimal scarring.
Steps of a cleft lip surgery to repair the condition
The main aim of cleft lip surgery is to close the separation in the lip and to offer a normal function, structure as well as appearance to the upper lip. Below are step by step details about the repair of cleft lip:
- At first, the doctor will recommend intravenous sedation or general anesthesia to the child who is a candidate for cleft lip surgery. The doctor will decide the best option for your child.
- After that, Incisions are made on either side of the cleft to create flaps of skin, muscle along with intraoral tissue. All are drawn together and stitched to close the cleft and to recreate a typical lip as well as the nose part.
- Cleft lip repair needs a careful repositioning of muscles and tissues to close the cleft and rebuild the roof of the mouth. This procedure also includes the repositioning of the soft palate muscles used in speech. The repair that is done is stitched closed, which is the midline of the roof of the mouth, offering enough length of the palate to allow for speech development and normal feeding.
- Following the repair of the cleft lip has been repaired, the incisions can be closed with removable or else absorbable sutures.
- After the cleft lip surgery to repair the resulting scars are positioned in normal contours of the upper lip as well as the nose.
What to expect after cleft lip surgery
Cleft lip surgery cost in India ranges between USD 2200 to USD 3000. Children’s sensitivity to pain varies as per cases, and hospitals usually recommend patients regular pain relief for one to two weeks after discharge. A scar will be left after cleft lip repair surgery which will be quite visible. It may appear red, swollen as well as bruised after surgery, and that is normal. It will fade over time as it heals, and your child gets older. Patients may also experience swelling may take a few weeks to settle, and the scar may also get thick, lumpy.
Doctors advise keeping the scar clean and free from scabs. It will help with the removal of stitches. Some surgeons clean the incision on a regular basis, while others may prefer that you leave the incision clean and dry and do not touch it. However, infections after surgery are rare, but check out for warning signs counting a raised temperature along with loss of appetite. Your child may experience some pain post surgery which will be controlled using pain medications.
Your surgeon will give you expert advice regarding the care for your child’s scar. Sometimes stitches in the wound after surgical repair are dissolvable, and in few cases, there will be a need to be removed. Some babies will feed after surgery without too much trouble, and in many cases, children take a bit longer to settle back into a comfortable feeding routine. Don’t hesitate to call your doctor If your child is having unrelieved pain despite your best efforts, or else if you feel that your child is not doing well.