Cleft Lip and Palate

Prenatal visits are encouraged for parents with a cleft lip and/or palate who are expecting a baby.

If your child has a cleft palate, speech evaluation for feeding will occur during your hospitalization, after birth or with our first clinic visit.

• • Lip repair occurs at approximately 3 months.
  • If the cleft lip is a wide unilateral or bilateral cleft lip, we may proceed with lip taping or NAM Nasoalveolar Molding to prepare for surgery.
  • Palate repair occurs at approximately 9-12 months.

    

    

  • We will typically plan for placement of ear tubes at the time of palate surgery.​
  • Bone graft surgery occurs at approximately 7-10 years.

  Secondary surgeries may be needed and can include:

  • Lip and/or nose revision (approximately 4-5 years)​
  • Speech surgery (approximately 3-8 years)
  • Ear tube replacement
  • Jaw surgery (approximately when teenager)

  All patients with a cleft lip and/or palate will be seen annually by the UNC Craniofacial Team until age 18 years. The first visit will occur approximately 1 month before palate surgery if applicable or at approximately 1 year.

  Additional information can be found at cleftline.org.