Cleft palate - resources

Resources - cleft palate

The following organizations are good resources for information on cleft palate:

American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association -- acpacares.org/
March of Dimes -- www.marchofdimes.org/complications/cleft-lip-and-cleft-palate.aspx
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention -- www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/CleftLip.html
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association -- www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/cleftlip
Operation Smile -- www.operationsmile.org

Cleft lip repair - series
Presentation

<strong>Cleft lip repair - series</strong><p>A cleft lip is an abnormal opening in the middle of the upper lip. A cleft palate is an opening in the roof of the mouth (palate).</p>

<strong>Indication</strong><p>Cleft lip repair and cleft palate repair are indicated for repair of physical deformity and nursing, feeding, or speech problems resulting from cleft lip or palate.</p>

<strong>Procedure</strong><p>While the baby is anesthetized and asleep (general anesthesia), the tissues around the defect are trimmed and sewn together with several layers of stitches (absorbable sutures). The skin is sewn together with very small, fine stitches (sutures) to make the scar as small as possible. In cleft palate repair, tissue from the back of the mouth (pharynx) may be taken to add tissue to the deficient soft palate (this is called a pharyngeal flap). Occasionally more than one surgery is required for complete palate closure.</p>

<strong>Aftercare</strong><p>Most babies heal without complications. The cosmetic result often depends on the severity of the deformity and is usually quite good.</p>

Cleft lip repair - series
Presentation

A Closer Look

Self Care

Review Date: 3/16/2021

Reviewed By: Jennifer K. Mannheim, ARNP, Medical Staff, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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Cleft palate - resources

Cleft palate

Cleft lip repair - series

Cleft lip repair - series

A Closer Look

Self Care

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