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52333 - Primary Cleft Palate Repair

MBS service description:

Cleft palate, primary repair (H) (Anaes.) (Assist.)
Schedule Fee:
890.75
@85% Benefit Fee:
@75% Benefit Fee:
Last updated on
March 29, 2025

When is item code 52333 (Primary Cleft Palate Repair) typically used?

The need for primary repair of a cleft palate arises when an infant or patient has a congenital gap in the palate, requiring initial surgical closure under anesthesia with assistance in a hospital to unite the tissue, restore oral-nasal separation, and support speech and feeding development. This is indicated as the first major repair for cleft palate, critical in the maxillofacial region where the defect affects early growth and function.

Reasons include:

  • Congenital defect: A newborn cleft needs closure for feeding.
  • Speech development: Early repair aids proper articulation.
  • Ear infections: Closing the gap reduces otitis media risk.
  • Nutrition: Prevents food leakage into the nose.

For example, an infant with a cleft palate might need this at 6-12 months to eat properly, with assistance for precision. In rare aged care cases, an unrepaired cleft could be fixed late, given frailty. By repairing the palate, this service supports development, prevents complications, and enhances life quality, making it a foundational maxillofacial procedure.

Benefits to the patient

Surgeons performing a primary repair of the patient’s cleft palate under anesthesia with assistance provide foundational benefits. A primary advantage is restoring the palate. This procedure closes the patient’s cleft, establishing normal structure—essential for 'cleft palate repair benefits.' It also improves speech and feeding by correcting the defect, enhancing the patient’s development. Furthermore, it prevents complications like infections or ear issues, protecting the patient’s health. For surgeons researching 'primary cleft repair advantages,' this assisted service ensures patients experience palatal restoration, functional improvement, and complication prevention, making it a critical step in cleft management.

Recovery considerations

Recovery of 3-4 weeks with swelling and soft diet; hospital stay required.

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