What Is a Cleft Lip?
A Cleft Lip is one of the most common facial differences present at birth: a gap (cleft) in the upper lip. Depending on its severity it can be microform, partial or complete, and it may occur together with a cleft in the gum (alveolus) and a Cleft Palate.
How It Is Diagnosed
A Cleft Lip can often be seen on a high-quality 3D or 4D ultrasound during pregnancy, and the anomaly scan in early pregnancy usually detects it. It is sometimes missed and found only after the baby is born.
When Is the Repair Done?
The repair is usually done when the baby is 3–6 months old. Your baby must be physiologically stable enough to have a general anaesthetic safely.
What the Surgery Involves
Your baby is seen by the paediatric anaesthetist before surgery and admitted on the day of the operation, which takes about 60–90 minutes under general anaesthesia.
The gap in the upper lip is reconstructed by rearranging the skin and the lining (mucosa) and by repairing the lip muscle. Manoeuvres to improve the shape of the nose may be done at the same time. The wound is closed with stitches.
After Surgery
- Steri-Strip tape covers the repair, and splints on both arms stop your baby from touching the wound.
- Feeding can start 2 hours after surgery; the speech pathologist will advise you on feeding technique.
- Once feeding is back to normal, your baby goes home the next day or the day after.
- Stitches are removed after about a week, and you will be shown how to massage the scar for 3–6 months to improve it.
Possible Complications
Infection, bleeding, scarring, swelling and pain are the common complications. Pain in hospital is managed by the acute pain service team, and usually only a simple painkiller is needed at home. Very rarely the wound can come apart (wound dehiscence) and the repair may have to be repeated later.
Frequently Asked Questions
At what age is Cleft Lip surgery done?
Usually between 3 and 6 months of age, once the baby is stable enough for a general anaesthetic.
Can a Cleft Lip be detected before birth?
Often, yes — on a high-quality 3D or 4D ultrasound or the anomaly scan in early pregnancy. Some clefts are found only after birth.
When can my baby feed after the operation?
Two hours after surgery. The speech pathologist will guide you on feeding technique.
How long is the hospital stay?
Usually one or two nights; your baby goes home once feeding has returned to normal.
Related Cleft Lip and Palate Procedures
- Cleft Palate Repair — Palate repair at 9–12 months, with speech and hearing follow-up.
- Speech Surgery — For nasal speech that persists after therapy, usually from age 5–6.
- Alveolar Bone Grafting — Bone graft to the gum gap at 7–11 years, timed to the canine tooth.
- Jaw Surgery After Cleft — Le Fort I or Double-Jaw Surgery after 16 for a flat midface and underbite.
- Cleft Rhinoplasty — Nose and septum correction after 18 — usually the last cleft operation.
This page is general information written by Dr Vybhav Deraje for patients and families. It does not replace an individual consultation; treatment depends on clinical assessment.