Surgery
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Lip Surgery
- When? Between 3 and 6 months but this can be adjusted according to the health of your child.
- Why? To reconstruct the shape of the lip and, to some extent, the nose. In children with cleft lip the muscle and skin of the lip have joined to the base of the nose instead of joining together. This procedure will join the skin and muscle together.
- How? This procedure is performed with your baby asleep. The muscles and skin are released from the base of the nose and joined together in the midline with stitches. Sometimes the nasal septum (the cartilage that separates the nostrils) is repositioned and stitches are placed in the nose to improve symmetry. If your child has a cleft palate, the front portion of this may be closed during this operation too.
- What will happen?
- Before the operation: It is important that you let us know if your child is unwell in the week prior to the operation (for example, if they have a runny nose). This is important because it can increase the risks around anaesthetic and post operative wound problems. Your cleft nurse will be available to answer your questions in the run up to surgery.
- On the day of surgery: You will be provided with specific instructions on when you can feed your child before the operation. Please find information on where to bring your child on the day of surgery here (link to AH and RMCH specific instructions on how to get to the ward).
- Going home: Depending on the specifics of the operation, you might go home on the day of surgery or stay one night on the ward with your baby after the operation. Most babies go home the day following surgery as long as they are feeding well.
- Aftercare:
- Feeding: You can feed your baby immediately following surgery. Click here for feeding advice (link to nursing feeding advice)
- Pain relief: We recommend regular paracetamol and ibuprofen for a week following surgery. You will be provided with these on leaving the hospital. Click here for advice on how to recognise signs of pain in your baby (link to information on recognising when babies are in pain).
Some Questions You Might Have
Here are some frequently asked questions that provide straightforward answers about cleft lip and palate surgery, helping families understand the condition, what it means, and how it is treated. These questions cover the topics parents and carers often want to know first, offering clear information to support you from the beginning of your journey.