Chapter
1:
Unilateral
Cleft Lip Repair
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Chapter
1: |
| Clefts
of the Lip and Palate
Unilateral Cleft Lip Repair
Clefts of the Lip and Palate
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A unilateral cleft lip results from failure of the union of the
maxillary and median nasal processes, thus creating a split or cleft in
the lip on either the left or right side. It may be just a notching of
the lip or extend completely through the lip into the nose and palate. A
number of procedures have been described to repair the unilateral cleft
lip. The procedure used at our Center is the Millard rotation
advancement technique. The procedure is designed to reconstruct the lip,
muscle, oral mucosa, and to reposition the nose. It is performed under
general anesthesia with surgery lasting 2-3 hours and a hospital stay of
2-4 days. Special considerations are necessary for feeding and
positioning the infant postoperatively. The baby's elbows are restrained
from bending to prevent him/her from disrupting the nose or lip.
Positioning the child in an infant seat keeps him/her from rolling over
and injuring the lip or nose. Pacifiers and nipples are not allowed. The
baby is fed with a special syringe feeder with a soft tube. It takes
approximately 3 weeks for the wound to gain enough strength to
discontinue the above precautions. The lip scar is initially red and
swollen, but it begins to mature and improve in appearance in six-twelve
months.
The Tennessee Craniofacial
Center, part of the Erlanger Health System, is located in Chattanooga,
Tennessee. The Center, led Larry A. Sargent, M.D., specializes in the
evaluation and treatment of patients of all ages with craniofacial deformities.
Location:
975 East Third Street. Chattanooga, Tennessee 37403
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