Facial Plastic & Trauma Surgery - Cleft Palate
What is Cleft Palette Surgery?
Cleft palate surgery, also known as palatoplasty, is a type of reconstructive surgery in pediatrics that repairs and rebuilds the mouth and throat structures.
The most common form of cleft palate surgery is a single-stage procedure that involves closing the cleft with sutures or surgical staples.
This procedure can be done in one or two stages, depending on the severity of the cleft.
Additional surgeries may be required to improve function and appearance.
What Causes the Need for Palate Surgery?
Clefts are open spaces in the roof of the mouth, which can cause problems with speech and eating and an increased risk of ear infections. Without treatment, these issues can lead to serious health problems.
What Happens During Cleft Palate Surgery?
Cleft palate surgery is performed under general anesthesia for the comfort and safety of the patient.
During the surgery, a surgeon will repair both sides of the hard and soft palate, the roof and the sides of the mouth.
The surgeon will suture or staple the cleft together and then reshape the tissue to match the surrounding area.
Cartilage from another part of the body may be used to reconstruct parts of the palate that the cleft has damaged.
Cleft palate surgery is sometimes combined with other procedures to improve the appearance of the face and mouth, including:
- Rhinoplasty (nose reshaping)
- Orthognathic surgery (jawbone realignment)
- Otoplasty (ear shaping)
What are the signs and symptoms of needing cleft palate surgery?
Cleft palate surgery is performed on infants as early as four months of age.
Signs and symptoms that may indicate the need for cleft palate surgery include:
- Difficulty feeding (especially with a bottle)
- Difficulty breathing while eating
- Frequent ear infections or fluid draining from the ears
- Speech delays due to improper formation of sounds
Get your infant evaluated by a medical professional as soon as possible to determine if cleft palate surgery is possible.
The Children's Hospital of San Antonio - Ear, Nose & Throat Clinic
The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Clinic provides comprehensive services for children and adolescents experiencing a variety of ear, nose, and throat disorders.