Question 1

what is the recovery period for a child with cleft palate surgery?

Accepted Answer

A week or 2: Typically children who have undergone cleft palate repair will be in the hospital for a day or two while they "relearn" how to swallow and i can be sure they are eating/drinking enough.  They go home on a soft diet (think pudding, jello, ice cream, baby food) for 2 weeks, then are typically released to eating what they want.  Pain is really only a problem for the first 2-3 days.

Question 2

how does one prevent fistula from forming after a cleft palate surgery in a six month old child ?

Accepted Answer

See surgeon: You should follow up with the surgeon that performed the procedure. A fistula could be the result of an infection or could occur due to improper healing. There is not anything that you can do on your own to prevent a fistula from forming.

Question 3

my child who is 3 months has a moderate cleft palate. surgery at 10 months. can cleft palate lead to deafness? i know it can cause hearing loss

Accepted Answer

Usually not: Infants with cleft palate are very prone to develop frequent ear infections and middle ear effusion, which are responsible for reversible hearing loss.

Question 4

how many surgeries to fix cleft palate in child?

Accepted Answer

Depends: That is a very difficult question and it depends on how much of the palate is affected. If it is a simple cleft, it can be repaired in one surgery. If it involves a lot of the roof of the mouth it might need to be done in stages.

Question 5

can cleft palate surgery be done with local and not general anesthesia?

Accepted Answer

Surgery: No. It would not be safe for the patient nor the surgeon.

Question 6

is cleft palate surgery ever fatal? my daughter is having it next month when she will be 11 months.

Accepted Answer

Nothing is 100%: But I have never heard of a fatality from cleft palate surgery. These cases are usually planned in stages over years, are well planned out, and are common enough.

Question 7

is surgery for soft cleft palate generally safe?

Accepted Answer

Yes: It is a common surgery done usually at a children's hospital and is generally safe and successful to help the child with problems with eating and speech.

Question 8

has there any been any death from surgery for a cleft palate?

Accepted Answer

Yes, rare: There can be deaths from any surgical procedure; there can be adverse reactions to anesthesia, abnormal bleeding, infections etc. Fortunately such deaths are rare. You should discuss these concerns with a surgeon.

Question 9

i wondered if anyone here does volunteer cleft palate surgery?

Accepted Answer

Certainly: Speaking for myself, I have participated in medical missions to the phillipines in the past and may do so again in the future but not presently. I am certain that many other of my colleagues here have done this as well and continue to do so.

Question 10

cleft palate and palatine processes for surgery?

Accepted Answer

Good if needed: Have your orthodontist and your oral surgeon both review your situation.  The co-ordination between the 2 of them generally gives better results.

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Doctor answers about:

What is the recovery period for a child with cleft palate surgery

A member asked:

What is the recovery period for a child with cleft palate surgery?

A member asked:

How does one prevent fistula from forming after a cleft palate surgery in a six month old child ?

A member asked:

My child who is 3 months has a moderate cleft palate. surgery at 10 months. can cleft palate lead to deafness? i know it can cause hearing loss

A member asked:

How many surgeries to fix cleft palate in child?

A member asked:

Can cleft palate surgery be done with local and not general anesthesia?

A member asked:

Is cleft palate surgery ever fatal? my daughter is having it next month when she will be 11 months.

A member asked:

Is surgery for soft cleft palate generally safe?

A member asked:

Has there any been any death from surgery for a cleft palate?

A member asked:

I wondered if anyone here does volunteer cleft palate surgery?

A member asked:

Cleft palate and palatine processes for surgery?

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