Cleft Lip Surgery

Description:

A cleft lip is usually repaired at about 3-5 months.  Most babies recover very quickly from this operation and you can expect to stay in hospital with your child for around 3-5 days.
Things to talk about:

• Surgeons do not always operate at the same time or in the same order.  You may want to ask your surgeon why he/she carries out a lip repair at a certain time.
• Can we do an orientation visit to the ward?
• How do we keep well?  What kind of sicknesses stop a surgery from going ahead?
• When will we see the surgeon before and after surgery?
• Once we are discharged, what should we be doing?  I.e. care of suture line, infection signs, arm splints.

Important information:

• Surgeries can be postponed.  This can be due to a range of factors, including your baby’s health, the success of the taping and positioning of the lip, and/or hospital occupancy pressures.  Do not worry, there is a window of opportunity to do this repair, and whilst it is very stressful to have a surgery postponed it won’t affect the quality of the outcome for your child.
• Surgery is a stressful time for the whole family.  No matter how much information you have, preparation you have made, and people you have talked to, you will still feel some anxiety.  This is normal, but it helps to talk about it.
• Try and focus on the positive outcomes of surgery.  It is hard but worthwhile.
• Babies can look different after the lip repair, and you may be surprised by your reaction to this.  Remember they may look a little different but they are still the same precious baby that you know and love.  It can be nice to have photos taken of your baby before the lip repair to record this time of their life.
• It can also be therapeutic to write down your feelings during this process.  Afterwards you will see how far you have come with understanding this condition, and can congratulate yourself on how much you have grown through the experience.
• Scars have a life cycle.  At the beginning, the scar can look very clean and minor.  As time progresses the scar shortens and thickens up, appearing more obvious, redder and more prominent.  This will change again as the tissue around the scar relaxes.  You can try a range of oils on the suture line to aid the healing process.  Refer to the website forum for suggestions that other families have found work best, or ask your surgeon’s advice. www.cleft.org.nz/forum.php
• Think about how your family and friends, your circle of support, can help you during this time.  You may need some food, cleaning, other children taken care of, breaks, or just a listening ear.  Let them know how they can support you.
• Take time to thank the staff – they are often very busy but they do appreciate being acknowledged.
• It can be really helpful to talk to another parent who has already experienced surgery.  Ring the Support Group on 0800 4 CLEFT (0800 425 338)

What to expect when you first see your baby after surgery in recovery or back at the ward.

• Your baby will have an I.V. tube inserted in either their hand or foot, which will be protected by a splint.  The tube is used to administer any pain relief or to re-hydrate your baby if necessary.
• A temperature and pulse probe may also be attached to their toe.
• For lip repairs, there is often a nose stent (small tube) inserted in their nostrils.  This is to help keep the shape of the nostril.
• Sometimes a tongue stitch can be in place which is removed fairly quickly.
• Your baby will be quite drowsy and sleepy