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, evaluation for feeding will occur while you are still in the hospital after birth, or with your first clinic visit.

• • Lip repair occurs at around 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 around 9-12 months.

• • 

    

    We typically plan for ear tubes insertion at the time of palate surgery.​

  • Bone graft surgery occurs at around 7-10 years.

  Secondary surgeries may be needed and can include:

  • • Lip and/or nose revision (around 4-5 years)​
    • Speech surgery (around 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 they are 18 years old. The first visit will be around 1 month before palate surgery or at approximately 1 year old.

  Additional information can be found at cleftline.org.