Cleft Palate Surgery: Restoring Function and Appearance

Cleft palate, also known as cleft mouth, is a congenital deformity that presents significant challenges for parents and affected children. Possessing the highest prevalence among congenital birth defects, cleft mouth impacts both the physical health and psychological well-being of the child. However, with the advancements of modern medicine, cleft palate repair surgery has become significantly safer and more effective. Let’s explore a complete A-Z guide on this deformity, including the best treatment and prevention strategies for children.

I – Understanding Cleft Palate in Children

Cleft palate deformity is the result of incomplete development of the lips or tissues during fetal formation in the womb. This condition distorts the child’s nose and mouth, creating a gap between the palate (roof of the mouth) and the nasal cavity.

Cleft mouth is frequently accompanied by a cleft lip, in which the upper lip does not develop evenly, resulting in a fissure on one or both sides of the midline of the upper lip. Cleft lip and cleft palate can occur individually or simultaneously, forming a combined cleft lip and cleft palate condition.

This deformity appears in infants right from birth and may be caused by genetic factors, genes, or other influences during pregnancy. While a cleft mouth is not life-threatening, it adversely affects a child’s physical and mental development.

However, a cleft mouth can be completely corrected thanks to medical progress. Specialists can perform surgical procedures to improve cleft lip and palate, enabling children to live healthier, normal lives.

II – Causes of Cleft Palate in Children

The formation of the fetus’s lip and upper jaw occurs during weeks 4–5 and weeks 7–8 of pregnancy. Fetal development during this stage is highly critical and vulnerable to external influences.

Several common causes lead to cleft mouth conditions in children, including:

• Genetics: Children with immediate blood relatives affected by cleft lip or cleft mouth carry a higher risk of developing this defect.
• High-dose Vitamin A consumption during pregnancy: High doses of Vitamin A pose teratogenic risks, which can be a factor causing a cleft mouth.
• Deficiency in Folic Acid, Vitamin B12, and Vitamin B6: Inadequate nutritional intake of these nutrients by expectant mothers can elevate the risk of cleft mouth deformities in infants.
• Maternal viral infections in early pregnancy: Infection with Rubella, influenza, or other inflammatory illnesses between weeks 4 and 12 of pregnancy increases the risk of cleft lip and cleft palate deformities in the fetus.
• Untreated parental gonorrhea or syphilis: Sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhea or syphilis in parents that are not thoroughly treated pose a high risk of causing cleft mouth deformities in offspring.
• Exposure to toxic environments: Maternal alcohol addiction, smoking, or regular exposure to toxic environments, ionizing radiation, and chemicals can increase the risk of fetal cleft mouth deformities.

III – How to Care for a Child with Cleft Palate

Caring for a child with a cleft palate is a challenge for parents, requiring patience and perseverance to help the child step-by-step regain their appearance and normal eating function.

1. Neonatal Stage

This is a period when the infant is very sensitive and their body is not yet stably developed. Parents must know how to cherish and care for them meticulously to ensure good health, supporting the upcoming surgical phase:

• Infants with a cleft palate usually cannot breastfeed directly or use standard baby bottles; specialized bottles must be used to feed the baby expressed breast milk or formula.
• Feeding sessions may take longer and require higher frequency to ensure adequate nutritional intake. However, single feeding duration should not be excessively long—typically under 15 minutes—to prevent the baby from becoming fatigued.
• The child should consult a pediatric nutritionist during the first week after birth to determine the necessary milk volume tailored to their energy needs.
• In addition to nutrition, proper hygiene for the baby’s skin, eyes, and umbilicus must be maintained. Sanitizing bottles and milk pumps is equally vital. Avoid exposing the baby to toxic environments and prevent infections.

2. Caring for a Child After Cleft Mouth Surgery

After the child undergoes cleft palate surgery, parents should keep the following precautions in mind:

• Perform daily hygiene care on the surgical wound.
• Avoid impacts or strong pressure on the surgical site.
• If the child shows symptoms of rhinitis or a runny nose, treat it promptly to prevent surgical site infections.
• Gradually transition the child from spoon-fed milk back to specialized bottle feeding around 2 weeks post-surgery.
• Limit the child’s exposure to direct sunlight during their first year of life.
• Visit a specialist approximately one year post-surgery to evaluate speech development and upper jawbone alignment.

3. Pre-school Stage (Ages 2–6)

During this period, parents experience somewhat less hardship in caring for a child with a cleft mouth because the child can now listen to and comprehend parental guidance. This makes it easier for parents to listen to, understand, and support their child, facilitating smooth treatment processes.

• Maintain dental hygiene care so the child can chew well and develop speech. Special attention should be given to primary canines and molars.
• Correct abnormal pronunciation errors; parents can seek observation and guidance from a speech therapist.
• Promptly treat otitis media (middle ear infection), pharyngitis, and tonsillitis in the child.

4. School-age Stage (Ages 6–18)

During this stage, parents should continue educating the child on the importance of oral hygiene so they develop conscious daily habits. Simultaneously, consult doctors to adjust the dental arch or jawbones if necessary.

In cases where the child faces psychological issues, strive to listen and consider therapeutic support for them.

5. Over 18 Years Old

Upon reaching 18 years of age, individuals with cleft palate deformities can independently decide on surgical interventions to refine nasal alae, correct unsightly lip scars, perform double-jaw osteotomy, or execute jaw distraction if desired to further enhance overall facial aesthetics.

IV – Cleft Palate Surgery

Cleft mouth surgery is performed when a child reaches a specific age and meets the health conditions required for the procedure. Cleft mouth surgery offers numerous benefits to underprivileged children, repairing the palate defect, restoring chewing function, and providing a normal appearance.

1. Appropriate Timing for Surgery

The optimal surgical timeline for children with a cleft mouth is evaluated and prescribed by specialists. Typically, children aged 3–6 months with a body weight of 6.5 kg or more will undergo lip repair surgery.

• Children aged 12 months or older (or earlier) will undergo cleft palate repair combined with hearing evaluations. Between ages 4 and 6, closure of palatal fistulas and lip/nose scar revisions are performed.
• Cases requiring cosmetic plastic surgery interventions are carried out during puberty or adolescence, combined with psychological support to boost the child’s confidence and facilitate easier community integration.

2. Surgical Costs

At private dental centers, cleft mouth surgery costs range around 6,000,000 VND. Meanwhile, at major specialized hospitals performing surgery for children under 6 years old covered by National Health Insurance, costs can decrease to 3,089,000 VND.

Please note that the above figures do not include costs related to bone grafting if required.

3. Cleft Palate Surgery at Kangnam

Kangnam Aesthetic Hospital possesses a specialized Maxillofacial Surgery Department capable of effectively correcting deformities caused by cleft mouth conditions, realigning jawbones into their proper positions.

Concurrently, Kangnam provides safe and effective lip scar removal technologies, alongside modern rhinoplasty techniques to refine nasal shapes and elevate overall facial aesthetics.

The medical team and staff at Kangnam are professional and dedicated to supporting clients before, during, and after the surgical process. This creates a friendly, comfortable, and safe environment so clients can recover with peace of mind.

Kangnam is equipped with advanced facilities and technology meeting international medical standards for surgery and care quality. This ensures clients access top-tier medical services that promote rapid recovery.

Kangnam clients confidently show off their new appearance post-surgery

Correcting underbite and comprehensively repairing deformities

Resolving consequences of cleft palate, helping a young lady regain a pretty appearance

Kangnam brings happiness with a beautiful new look for clients

V – Is Cleft Lip and Palate Hereditary?

Cleft lip and cleft mouth have the potential to be inherited from parents to offspring. Research indicates that genetic factors play a significant role in causing this condition. If there are prior cases of cleft lip and palate within a family, the likelihood of a child being born with this defect is higher compared to families with no history.

However, environmental factors also contribute during fetal formation and development in the womb, leading to uneven development of the upper jaw and lips.

VI – How to Prevent Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate in

Children Preventing cleft mouth in children is an essential step to reduce the risk of this deformity. Below are preventive measures for cleft lip and palate in infants:

• Expectant mothers must adhere to regular health check-ups and treat infections, especially during the first trimester of pregnancy. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and a nutrition-rich diet is paramount.
• Pregnant women must avoid smoking cigarettes, using e-cigarettes, drinking alcohol, and consuming stimulants throughout pregnancy.
• Ensure full administration of necessary vaccines prior to pregnancy.
• If there is a family history of cleft lip and palate deformities, genetic testing will help assess the risk for the fetus.
• If the mother lacks adequate Folic Acid, Vitamin B6, and Vitamin B12, these should be supplemented in the daily diet or under medical guidance.
• If the mother contracts infectious diseases such as influenza, pharyngitis, measles, or rubella, immediate medical treatment is required to minimize potential impacts on fetal development.

In summary, cleft palate deformities present numerous hardships for both children and parents. Therefore, parents should take maximum preventive measures starting right from pregnancy. Furthermore, remain dedicated partners alongside your child through every stage to ensure they receive the best support and development.

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