What are the dangers of the surgery for baby's Cleft Lip/Cleft Palate?

Surgery on children carries the same or similar dangers as surgery on adults, such as bleeding, infection, scarring, and persistence of the asymmetries. Other issues include persistent holes in the palate (fistulas) and palatal dysfunction that may lead to speech impediments, most specifically a nasal voice or inadequate functioning of the soft palate and the upper part of the throat (velopharyngeal insufficiency).

Many dangers are unpredictable because they depend on the age of the child and the level of the original deformity. As with other conditions, life-threatening risks are associated with any surgery and are closely related to anesthesia. Therefore, it is important to have an anesthesiologist specially trained in the care of children to do the surgical cases.