52446 - Bilateral Cleft Lip Repair (With Palate)

The need for bilateral cleft lip primary repair in one stage, including anterior palate repair, arises when an infant or patient has a congenital bilateral cleft lip extending into the anterior palate, requiring surgical closure of both lip sides and the front palatal defect under anesthesia with assistance in a hospital to restore lip symmetry, partially seal the palate, and support feeding, speech, and facial growth. This combined approach is indicated for bilateral clefts with palate involvement, critical in the maxillofacial region where comprehensive repair enhances early function and development.

Specific scenarios necessitating this intervention include:

• Complete bilateral cleft: Gaps on both lip sides and the anterior palate prevent suction for feeding, requiring simultaneous repair to enable nutrition.
• Speech preparation: Early closure of the anterior palate reduces nasal air escape, laying groundwork for clearer speech development.
• Facial symmetry: Repairing both lip and palate aligns tissues to minimize nasal deformity and support maxillary growth.
• Psychosocial benefit: A single-stage repair normalizes appearance early, aiding emotional adjustment.

For instance, a 6-month-old with a bilateral cleft lip and anterior palate defect might undergo this to improve feeding and reduce nasal regurgitation, with the assistant aiding in complex suturing. In an aged care context, an elderly patient with an unrepaired cleft might seek this for late-life function, adjusted for frailty. By addressing both defects in one operation, this service enhances feeding, supports speech potential, and promotes facial harmony, making it a vital initial step in bilateral cleft management within the maxillofacial area.

Surgeons performing a bilateral cleft lip primary repair with anterior palate repair on the patient in one stage under anesthesia with assistance deliver comprehensive benefits. A key advantage is restoring lip and palate integrity. This procedure closes the patient’s bilateral clefts and palate, improving structure—vital for 'bilateral cleft repair benefits.' It also improves feeding and speech by correcting both areas, enhancing the patient’s development. Furthermore, it enhances aesthetics by refining the lips and palate, boosting the patient’s appearance. For surgeons researching 'combined bilateral cleft advantages,' this assisted service ensures patients benefit from integrity restoration, functional enhancement, and aesthetic improvement, offering a thorough initial correction.

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