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Cleft lip and palate repair

• Overview
• Recovery
• Risks

Expectations after surgery:

Most babies heal without complications. The cosmetic result often depends on the severity of the deformity and is usually quite good. Another surgery might be required to correct the scar.

Convalescence:

The average hospital stay is 5 to 7 days. Complete recovery may take up to 4 weeks. Some children continue to have speech defects after the surgery because of muscle problems in the palate. Speech therapy is then required.

• Review Date: 11/10/2005
• Reviewed By: Edward W. Chang, MD, DDS, Director of Facial Plastics Surgery Education, Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery, Columbia University-College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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