American Society of Plastic Surgeons

Post your question to Ask a Surgeon to get an authoritative and trustworthy answer from our ASPS member surgeons or share your journey with other people just like you on the Patient Community. The views expressed in Ask a Surgeon and the Patient Community are those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons

Share your journey with other people just like you on the Patient Community or post your question to Ask a Surgeon to get an authoritative and trustworthy answer from our ASPS member surgeons. The views expressed in Ask a Surgeon and the Patient Community are those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Post your question to Ask a Surgeon to get an authoritative and trustworthy answer from our ASPS member surgeons

or share your journey with other people just like you on the Patient Community. The views expressed in Ask a Surgeon and the Patient Community are those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Share your journey with other people just like you on the Patient Community

or post your question to Ask a Surgeon to get an authoritative and trustworthy answer from our ASPS member surgeons. The views expressed in Ask a Surgeon and the Patient Community are those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate Repair

Correcting Abnormal Development

Cleft lip and cleft palate repair surgically corrects abnormal development, restoring function to the lips and mouth and producing a more normal appearance.

Find a Plastic Surgeon

Before & After Photos

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

Next: Preparation

Latest Blogs

Pediatric plastic surgery: A focus on cleft lip and palate repair Ariel Frankeny
When performing a cleft lip and/or cleft palate repair, the goal is to create an end result with normal closure and no future issues plaguing the patient.

View More Posts

Surgeons In Your Area

Paul Kim, MD

U.S. Board Certified

Suite 110, 460 Creamery Way
Exton, PA 19341-2533
United States

John LaManna, MD

U.S. Board Certified

Reading Dermatology Assoc, 3317 Penn Ave
Reading, PA 19609
United States

Wendell Funk, MD

U.S. Board Certified

Suite 7, 230 Harrisburg Avenue
Lancaster, PA 17603-2974
United States

Benjamin Schlechter, MD

U.S. Board Certified

Suite 207, 2603 Keiser Boulevard
Wyomissing, PA 19610
United States

Geoffrey Hallock, MD

U.S. Board Certified

1230 South Cedar Crest Boulevard, Suite 306
Allentown, PA 18103-6212
United States

Thomas Dooley, MD

U.S. Board Certified

2610 Keiser Boulevard
Wyomissing, PA 19610
United States

Richard Kirschner, MD

U.S. Board Certified

Oaklands Corporate Center, 481 John Young Way, Cho...
Exton, PA 19341
United States

Kenneth Arthur, MD

U.S. Board Certified

554 N. Duke Street
Lancaster, PA 17602-2225
United States

Paul Kim, MD

U.S. Board Certified

Suite 110, 460 Creamery Way
Exton, PA 19341-2533
United States

John LaManna, MD

U.S. Board Certified

Reading Dermatology Assoc, 3317 Penn Ave
Reading, PA 19609
United States

Wendell Funk, MD

U.S. Board Certified

Suite 7, 230 Harrisburg Avenue
Lancaster, PA 17603-2974
United States

Benjamin Schlechter, MD

U.S. Board Certified

Suite 207, 2603 Keiser Boulevard
Wyomissing, PA 19610
United States

Geoffrey Hallock, MD

U.S. Board Certified

1230 South Cedar Crest Boulevard, Suite 306
Allentown, PA 18103-6212
United States

Thomas Dooley, MD

U.S. Board Certified

2610 Keiser Boulevard
Wyomissing, PA 19610
United States

Richard Kirschner, MD

U.S. Board Certified

Oaklands Corporate Center, 481 John Young Way, Cho...
Exton, PA 19341
United States

Kenneth Arthur, MD

U.S. Board Certified

554 N. Duke Street
Lancaster, PA 17602-2225
United States

View All Surgeons Near You