Preoperative and Postoperative for Cleft Lip Surgery
(Pre-surgery) (Post-surgery)
Preoperative Preparation for Cleft Lip Surgery
1. Since the subjects of cleft lip repair surgery are infants, preoperative preparation is especially important.
2. Preoperatively, the child must be in a process of gaining weight, with a weight greater than 5 kilograms.
3. Preoperative blood tests should show red and white blood cells within normal ranges. If there are any differences from the normal values, treatment must be provided to restore them before proceeding with the surgery.
4. Additionally, the child’s clotting and bleeding times should also be normal.
5. On the day of surgery, wash the upper and lower lips as well as the nose with soapy water, and clean the mouth with a cotton ball soaked in saline solution.
6. During the operation, disinfect the surgical area with 1:1000 Benzalkonium Bromide or 75% ethanol.
7. Generally, no blood transfusion is required during the surgery, but a 5% glucose intravenous drip should be given.
The patient should lie supine with their shoulders elevated to tilt the head slightly backward. This not only facilitates surgical operation but also allows blood to accumulate in the nasopharyngeal cavity rather than being aspirated into the lungs. However, it is essential to clear any secretions or blood clots from the throat at all times during the surgery.
Postoperative Care for Cleft Lip Surgery
1. After cleft lip surgery, the incision should be covered with a dressing on the same day.
2. Starting from the second day, expose the incision to maintain local cleanliness and reduce the chance of infection.
3. To reduce tension on the incision and prevent contact with external objects, a lip bow can be used.
4. After cleft lip correction surgery, spoon feeding should be applied instead of breastfeeding to minimize exudation at the suture site and trauma at the alveolar ridge adjustment site.
5. On the day of cleft lip repair surgery, provide high-energy food to avoid the child crying. Restrict the movement of the upper limbs to prevent the fingers from touching the wound.
6. Clean the sutured area with diluted hydrogen peroxide and then apply antibiotic ointment.
7. If there is no infection in the wound, the sutures can generally be removed 6-7 days after the operation.
8. If there are signs of infection around individual sutures, those sutures should be removed promptly.
9. When removing sutures, if the infant is restless, which could cause injury, the procedure can be done under anesthesia if necessary.
10. If the wound tension is high, sutures can be removed intermittently on the 5th-6th day post-operation, and the rest can be removed on the 7th-8th day.
11. Sutures inside the lips and oral cavity can be left to fall off naturally after a longer period.