Cleft Lip Treatment: Cost and Side Effects

Cleft lip or cleft palate is a facial deformity or malformation that takes place at the time of pregnancy itself during the development of the baby inside the womb. Cleft lip occurs when the amount of tissue within the mouth or the lip area is insufficient and whatever tissue is available fails to join together correctly. The cleft palate occurs when at the two sides there is a separation of the upper lip. The separation will appear in the form of a narrow gap or an opening within the skin. The separation will expand beyond the nose base and comprises the upper jaw bones.

A cleft lip or cleft palate ends up involving the hard bony palate that is found on the mouth roof and the soft palate found on the back part. The palate and the lip form separately therefore, it is possible to have one without the other and also both at the same time together. According to statistics cleft lip occurs in about 700 children on an average per year.

Cleft lip generally occurs as an isolated birth flaw but is also related with a number of inherited genetic syndromes as well.

Aside from physical symptoms of cleft lip that appear on the face, there are other symptoms of cleft lip to look out for such as recurrent infection of the ear, trouble with swallowing or feeding and speaking nasally.

A cleft lip condition will inadvertently require around two surgeries at the most which depends on the range of the mending that is needed. The first operation will be carried out before the baby turns four months old. Repairing the cleft palate will require a number of surgical procedures for the next eighteen years of your child’s life. For repairing the cleft palate the first set of surgeries will be performed when the baby is aged between six to twelve months of age. The first round of surgeries produces a palate that is more functional in nature. And lowers the possibility of the fluid development within the middle ears and assists in the development of facial bones and teeth.

Children who are afflicted with the condition of a cleft palate will be required to undergo a bone grafting procedure when they are eight years of age. This grafting procedure fills up the upper gum line and supports permanent teeth and also brings stability to the upper jaw. After the permanent teeth start growing braces might be put in order to fix the placement of the teeth and straighten them.

Surgeries may also be performed additionally in order to better the physical appearance of the nose, lip and openings between nose and mouth which aid in breathing and the realignment of the jaw in addition to bringing about stability. After the child becomes an adolescent the final round of surgeries will be performed to take care of whatever scars are remaining from the earlier surgeries.

Cleft lip is inherited during birth. So, all babies who show symptoms of sub-mucous cleft palate are advised to be taken to a doctor as soon as possible for early diagnoses.

There are a few side effects that are associated with a cleft lip surgery. These include running a fever with 101 degrees, infection at the site of incision, stitches that may come out after the incision has been opened, profuse bleeding from the site of incision wherein heavy bleeding can be a cause for emergency and an inability to consume any fluids.

There are a few side effects that are associated with a cleft lip surgery. These include running a fever with 101 degrees, infection at the site of incision, stitches that may come out after the incision has been opened, profuse bleeding from the site of incision wherein heavy bleeding can be a cause for emergency and an inability to consume any fluids.

Children suffering from cleft palate have issues with malformed teeth. Children who are born with cleft palate will need good cleaning techniques, well-maintained nutrition. Fluoride treatment may also be prescribed for having healthy teeth. Cleaning is advised with a soft-bristled brush. A toothette is a sponge that contains mouthwash with a handle in order to swab the teeth. It is recommended by dentists that the child afflicted with cleft palate or cleft lip should make his/her first dental visit at age one year or earlier.

After the cleft palate surgery it is advised that the child is fed by parents for a couple of days.

After the surgery it takes about a month for the incision to completely heal. The child will be required to wear some padded restraints for the arm for about a week or two to prevent rubbing at the site of surgery.

The price of a cleft lip surgery in India ranges from 1 to 2 lakhs. The cost of arm restraints can vary between Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 15,000 in India.

A cleft lip surgery can have both permanent as well as temporary results depending on the kind of filler that has been used at the time of the operation.

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