Cleft Palate Surgery

Cleft palate surgery is typically performed on infants that are between 6 and 18 months of age. Since the primary goal of repairing the palate is to avoid any abnormal speech development, the surgery is scheduled earlier before the child develops much speech.

Even after the opening is completely closed, an additional surgical procedure may occasionally be needed so that normal speech is obtained. As with cleft lip surgery, the tissue of the palate is detached and rearranged to close the cleft. There is generally no need to take tissue from other parts of the body for this procedure. The muscles of the soft palate are also repositioned to allow for the best possible function for speech.

With each of the cleft operations, the child's growth and development must be taken into consideration. As the child grows, additional procedures may be needed in order to restore normal form and function for the child with cleft lip or palate.

Illustrations of the Cleft Palate Surgery Procedure

Design of incision lines for opposing Z-palatoplasy. Ghosted under mucosa lies (A) Levator veli paltini muscle, and (B) Tensor veli palatini muscle.	Undermining mucoperiosteal tissue for mobilization.
Bringing flaps together for closure.	Closure of flaps complete.