Best time for cleft palate surgery

The birth of a baby gives parents hope, but often things are not as expected. Cleft lip and palate is a common disease in children. The cause is unknown and it can seriously affect the baby's appearance development. If left untreated, it may cause physical and mental distress to the baby. Parents must know how to choose cleft lip and palate surgery. Before having surgery, you need to prepare. So, when is the best time to have cleft lip and palate surgery?

1. Indications

1. Various types of cleft palate.

2. The patient is in good physical condition.

Contraindications

1. Patients with poor nutritional status or low hemoglobin should be cautious.

2. Children with thymic hypertrophy.

3. Patients with lung infection require temporary surgery.

4. For patients with cleft palate and congenital heart disease, the heart disease needs to be treated first before surgery.

5. Oral and maxillofacial inflammatory diseases.

6. Those with tonsil enlargement of grade II or above.

2. Timing of surgery

There has always been controversy over the best time for cleft palate surgery. It is generally believed that it should be performed before the child formally learns to speak. The currently more recognized time for surgery is around 8-18 months. The earlier the surgery is performed, the greater the risk and the greater the impact on jaw development. The later it is performed, the more detrimental it is to speech development.

3. Preoperative Preparation

1. Introduce the treatment objectives and surgical methods to patients and their families.

2. Complete relevant examinations and drug allergy tests.

3. Clean the face, mouth and nose.

4. Feed with a spoon at least 3 days before the operation to avoid being unable to eat after the operation.

5. Infants and young children should not eat for 6 hours before surgery and should not drink water for 3 hours before surgery; adolescents should not eat for 8 hours before surgery and should not drink water for 4 hours before surgery.

IV. Postoperative Care

1. Pay attention to the situation inside the oral cavity. If there is bleeding from the wound, stop the bleeding in time.

2. Clean your mouth every day after surgery and drink plenty of water.

3. Try to avoid the baby crying as it may increase the risk of the wound opening.

4. The iodoform gauze in the loose incisions on both sides can be removed about one week after the operation.

5. The stitches will be removed about one week after the operation. If absorbable sutures are used, they do not need to be removed.

6. Antibiotics are routinely used after surgery to prevent infection.

7. One month after the operation, the patient will be fed with liquid and semi-liquid diets, and then gradually changed to normal diet according to the condition of the patient.

8. Avoid bottle feeding for one month after surgery.

9. Determine the time for follow-up examination, speech evaluation and speech training after the operation.