When to have cleft palate surgery (unilateral or bilateral) Most scholars in the United Kingdom and the United States now advocate that children with cleft palate should be operated on around the age of 1 year. This is because around 1 year of age is when children with cleft palate generally begin to speak. If the cleft palate is repaired during this period, the child can learn to speak more naturally, unlike older patients who have developed incorrect speech habits and must undergo long-term and painstaking speech training after surgery to restore their speech function. With regard to the age of surgery, the following five issues must be considered first: (1) the child’s general condition; (2) the safety of the surgery; (3) the method of surgery; (4) the results of speech; and (5) the development of the maxilla, before considering when the appropriate age for surgery is. After considering the above five issues comprehensively, we believe that a more suitable age for surgery for children with cleft palate can be initially set at 6-12 months. The development of language function can be accelerated. Active language function will undoubtedly facilitate the development of the maxillary and palatopharyngeal muscles, which in turn will lead to the development of bone. Recent advances in pediatric anesthesia and craniomaxillofacial surgery have increased the safety of early cleft palate surgery. Approximate cost: generally around 8000 RMB (according to the statistics of PLA General Hospital (Grade IIIA hospital) in recent years) Pre-operative attention: no respiratory infection and other diseases 2 weeks before surgery, avoid cold and flu. Strengthen nutrition. Consultation department and doctor: should be consulted in plastic surgery or oral and maxillofacial surgery, the upper two departments according to the condition, ear, nose and throat, oral orthodontics, prosthetics and other related departments consultation, put forward comprehensive treatment advice. Routine examination before surgery: electrocardiogram, chest X-ray, blood type, blood routine, urine routine, stool routine, liver and kidney function, coagulation mechanism. In case of other abnormalities, consult with relevant departments such as cardiology and pediatrics if necessary. Spoon feeding: postoperative palatal wound, no sucking, practice spoon feeding before surgery to reduce the postoperative effect on wound healing. 1.Determine the anesthesia. 2.Determine the surgical method. 3.Pre-operative signature: according to the patient’s deformity and general condition, determine the surgical method and anesthesia method, generally use general anesthesia, the surgeon and anesthesiologist talk with the patient’s family, fully communicate with the patient, explain the possible problems during and after surgery, fully let the patient give informed consent, sign the surgical consent and anesthesia consent. 4.Post-operative care (wound, diet, suture removal, etc.): After returning to the ward, patients under general anesthesia are not yet fully conscious. On the day of surgery, the patient generally fasted, and after he/she was fully conscious, he/she could drink a small amount of water after examination by the doctor. Patients with general anesthesia can eat after they are conscious on the second day after surgery. In order to ensure wound healing, a full liquid diet should be given for 3-4 weeks after surgery, and hard food should not be consumed. Strengthen the nursing care, minimize the crying of the child, avoid external collision, and reduce the tension of the incision. Pay attention to keep the oral cavity clean. If there is milk scale or other food residue in the mouth, wipe it with a wet cotton swab or ask the health care provider to handle it. Generally patients with cleft palate have their stitches removed 12-14 days after surgery, and the iodoform gauze is removed 1-2 days after the stitches are removed from the loose incision filling. The wound can be discharged if there is no cleft, infection, bleeding, etc. Before the discharge procedure, the doctor should explain to the patient the precautions to be taken after discharge and the next treatment arrangement.