HESI Pediatric Nursing Case Study – Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate Practice Test

Two-stage repair is chosen to balance immediate function with long-term growth. Fixing the lip early restores a functional seal for feeding and improves facial contour, while the palate is repaired later to avoid hindering the growth of the midface and to support better speech development and velopharyngeal function. Delaying palate repair allows the facial bones to grow more normally and reduces the risk of growth problems or fistulas after surgery. In short, the lip is repaired first to boost feeding and appearance, and the palate is repaired later to optimize growth and speech outcomes.