One month after cleft lip repair, this girl is thriving.

Cleft lip repair is normally done between 3 and 6 months of age, though for the right patient, it is reasonable to discuss performing surgery at as early as 4 weeks of age.

Factors to consider include:
– prematurity, which increases the risk of apnea after surgery
– weight and feeding, to minimize risks of anesthesia and of postoperative problems
– width of the cleft, as additional nasoalveolar molding may be recommended before going ahead with surgery

Cleft lip surgery can safely be done as a same day surgery, though patients and families sometimes choose to be observed in the hospital overnight.