Arlington Plastic Surgery, Anthony Tran, Arlington, Texas

Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery,
Cosmetic & Reconstructive Plastic Surgery

3300 Matlock Rd.

Arlington, TX 76015

(817) 467-5081

(682) 217-1080

Spanish & Vietnamese speakers are available

Fax - (817) 557-4646

Cleft Lip Repair
Conveniently located to serve Arlington, TX

Cleft Lip RepairYour child’s cleft lip and palate repair

Cleft lip (cheiloschisis) and cleft palate (palatoschisis) are among the most common birth defects affecting children in North America.The incomplete formation of the upper lip (cleft lip) or roof of the mouth (cleft palate) can occur individually, or both defects may occur together. The conditions can vary in severity and may involve one or both sides of the face.

Cause/Repair

A cleft, or separation of the upper lip and/or the roof of the mouth, occurs very early in the development of your unborn child. During fetal development, certain components of the upper lip and roof of the mouth fail to form normally. Cleft lip and cleft palate repair is a type of plastic surgery to correct this abnormal development both to restore function and to restore a more normal appearance. Most clefts can be repaired through specialized plastic surgery techniques, improving your child’s ability to eat, speak, hear and breathe, and to restore a more normal appearance and function.

What to Expect During Recovery

After the cleft repair procedure, your child will remain in the hospital for a day or two. Most adults and children return home the next day after the procedure.Dr. Tran will provide post-operative care instructions for keeping the stitches and incisions clean.

There may be some swelling around the lips for the next few weeks. Often, a short course of antibiotics is given to prevent infection at the incision site.

Any discomfort and pain can be managed with prescribed medications. If fever, redness, warmth, or bleeding at the incision site is experienced, contact Dr. Tran immediately.

It is vital that your child refrain from touching or rubbing at the surgery site in order to prevent infection. Soft splints may be wrapped around the child’s hands to prevent them from touching their lips. It is recommended that the splints be worn for a week.

During recovery, the incision site must be cleaned thoroughly after eating. A liquid diet will be advised for a few days after the surgery. Avoid the following foods:

  • Gum
  • Nuts
  • Popcorn
  • Butter
  • Cream
  • Pastries

Patients may have to return for follow-up visits within one week after the cleft repair surgery. The number of follow up visits is determined by Dr. Tran. The stitches are dissolvable, so they will not need to be removed at this time.

Patients will be able to return to their normal routine after two to three weeks.

Schedule Your Consultation Today

To find out more about the process of cleft lip repair in Arlington, contact Arlington Plastic Surgery today and arrange your consultation.

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