When to have cleft lip surgery (unilateral, bilateral, general condition) Generally speaking, the more appropriate and safe time to repair cleft lip is 2-4 months after birth. It also depends on the type of deformity, the ease of surgery and the general condition of the child. The surgery should be postponed appropriately in these cases: premature, weak, bilateral complete cleft lip.
Approximate cost: generally around 5,000 yuan Pre-operative attention: no respiratory infections and other diseases 2 weeks before surgery, avoid catching cold and flu. Enhance nutrition.
Consultation department and doctor: The initial consultation should be 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 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: For postoperative lip and palate wounds, practice spoon feeding before surgery to reduce the postoperative effect on wound healing.
Pre-operative signature: according to the patient’s deformity and general condition, determine the surgical method and anesthesia method, 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, and sign the surgical consent and anesthesia consent form.
Post-operative care (wound, diet, suture removal, etc.) After returning to the ward, the patient under general anesthesia is not yet fully conscious, so the family should cooperate with the medical staff to take good care of the child. 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 the day after surgery and patients with local anesthesia can eat on the day of surgery. To ensure wound healing, a full liquid diet should be given for 2 weeks after surgery. Strengthen nursing care, minimize crying of the child, avoid external collision, and reduce the tension of the incision.
Keep the oral cavity and facial wound clean, and keep the facial wound dry. If there is food residue such as milk scum in the mouth, use wet cotton swabs to wipe it or ask medical personnel to handle it.
The stitches are usually removed 5-7 days after surgery for cleft lip patients and 12-14 days after surgery for cleft palate patients. After the stitches are removed, the wound can be discharged without cracking, infection, bleeding, etc. The doctor should explain to the patient the precautions to be taken after discharge and the next treatment arrangement before going through the discharge procedure.
Methods of cleft lip surgery There are many surgical methods for both unilateral cleft lip and bilateral cleft lip. At present, it is considered better and more widely used unilateral cleft lip repair surgical methods: Millard’s rotation-advancement method and various modified surgical methods, lateral flap repair of the nasal tubercle; bilateral cleft lip repair surgical methods: Muliken’s method.