What are the risks of cleft lip and cleft palate repair?

The repair of a cleft lip and/or cleft palate is important for your child's development and quality of life. Your plastic surgeon will explain the benefits, goals and potential risks or complications. You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure, the alternatives and the most likely risks or potential complications.

Possible cleft surgery risks include:

• Allergies to tape, suture materials and glues, topical preparations or injected agents
• Anesthesia risks
• Bleeding
• Damage to deeper structures – such as nerves, blood vessels, muscles and auditory canal can occur and may be temporary or permanent
• Infection
• Irregular healing of scars including shortening, thickening or overgrowth
• Poor healing of incisions
• Possibility of revisional surgery
• Residual irregularities and asymmetries in the lip or nose
• Respiratory problems after surgery