Comparison of Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate
Dimension	Cleft Lip Only	Cleft Palate Only	Both Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate
Incidence	1/1000 More common among boys	1/2500 More common among girls	Most common facial malformation More common among boys More common among Caucasians than African Americans
Surgical repair	“Cheiloplasty” (Logan bow) Often done in a single stage Timing: age 6-12 week	Palatoplasty Often done in staged repairs Timing: age 12-18 months	Lip always repaired before palate to enhance parentinfant attachment, bonding
Position postoperatively	Never on abdomen	Always on abdomen
Feeding postoperatively	No sucking Use Breck feeder or Asepto syringe	No sucking Use wide-bowl spoon or plastic cup
Nursing care postoperatively	Elbow restraints Lessen crying Croup tent	Elbow restraints Lessen crying Croup tent	OK to show parents pictures of “before” and “after" repair
Long-term concerns	Bonding, attachment Social adjustment - potential threat to self-image	Defective speech - refer to speech therapist Abnormal dentition - refer to orthodontist Hearing loss - refer to pediatric eye, ear, nose, throat specialist/ physician