Cleft Lip Post Operative Instructions
WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER SURGERY:
Your child will spend a brief period of time in the recovery room and then will go to a hospital room usually on the 5th floor of Mott Hospital. After surgery your child will have tape on their lip called steri strips. The steri strips will fall off on their own, usually in about 1 week. Your child will also have clear plastic tubes inserted in both sides of the nose. The clear plastic tubes are used to shape the cartilage of the nose and should be left in place until the follow up appointment with your surgeon. Your child may also have sutures on top of their nose that will be attached to cotton balls. These sutures will be removed at the follow up appointment in one week. Fussiness after surgery is common and your child will be given a pain reliever to help with any discomfort. Your child is usually released from the hospital 1 day after surgery.
WOUND CARE:
Care must be taken to avoid letting the child place hard objects or his/her hands in his/her mouth. Elbow restraints (called No-no's) will be used to prevent the child from touching or damaging the surgical site. The No-no's will be worn for 2 weeks. You will need to purchase a long sleeve pajama top one size bigger than what your child currently wears. The elbow restraints (No-no's) will be applied, then the pajama top will be placed over the top of the elbow restraints this helps keep the restraints in place and distracts the child. The elbow restraints (No-no's) should be taken off for 1 hour each day (under direct supervision) to allow for your child to exercise their elbows.
DIET:
If you breastfeed your child you may breastfeed them right away. If your child is bottle feed they may resume taking the bottle right away. There is no special bottle that is needed after the procedure. Resume what was used prior to surgery.
PRESCRIPTIONS:
The surgeon may recommend a mild pain reliever such as liquid children's acetaminophen or acetaminophen with codeine for discomfort. The pain reliever should only be taken when you need it. Your child may experience nasal and sinus congestion, but he/she should not blow his/her nose. A saline nasal spray may be used to help with nasal congestion and crusting.
WHEN TO CALL:
If you child starts to run a fever (over 100.5F) check to make sure they are getting enough liquids. Dehydration can cause the body temperature to rise. If you notice he/she is not taking any foods or liquids, has increased fussiness, or vomiting please give us a call.
RETURN TO CLINIC:
Your child will be given an appointment to return to clinic for a post-operative check before you are discharged from the hospital. This will usually be about one week after surgery. Bring any questions you have to this appointment. If you are unable to keep the appointment, please be sure to call and reschedule.
MEDICAL QUESTIONS, PLEASE CALL:
Pediatric Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Clinic: 8 AM-5 PM (734)-936-5950 or (734)-936-8289. After hours and on weekends, call Hospital Paging at (734)936-6267 and ask for Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery resident on call.