HomeAnswersOtolaryngology (E.N.T)cleft palate surgeryWhy is the uvula towards the left side after cleft palate surgery?

Is it normal to have the uvula towards left side after cleft palate operation?

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Is it normal to have the uvula towards left side after cleft palate operation?

The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Answered by

Dr. Alok

Medically reviewed by

iCliniq medical review team

Published At February 2, 2017
Reviewed AtJuly 2, 2023

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Our baby is 2 years 3 months old. She had a soft cleft palate. The doctor operated her and closed the soft cleft palate. Now, we can see that her uvula is a little bit on the left side in the mouth and not at the center. We are worried about this. She already went with this surgery in such a small age. Is it fine to have uvula towards left side or will it cause any issue in future?

Answered by Dr. Alok

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Having uvula at one side is not at all a big issue. But, you should know a few things. Children with cleft lip or palate are usually operated at a very small age, usually at six months is the first surgery done, and this depends on the extent of deformity child has. All cleft lip or palate children usually undergo multiple surgeries. The correct way to say is step by step correction, and all these are to correct the deformities, which may change as the child grows. One thing to assure you, once the child has grown up fully and corrections have been done, then nothing else happens again. Another important thing to note is involvement of ear in cleft children. They are prone to develop repeated ear infections and ear disease. It is not definite, but they must get ear checkup once a year at least, till they grow up.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Your answers to my questions are always relaxing. She was having a soft cleft palate, which got fixed at the age of two years and from that time we saw the uvula partially at left side. I think that probably due to surgery it is like this. After surgery, her speech is getting developed well. Also, milk coming from nose is reduced very much. Reduced means now it does not come all time and only one or two drops of milk or water came out of nose and that too less frequently. We are very afraid of surgeries, but as there is no other choice for soft cleft palate and so we did it. You mentioned that they may require surgery in future to correct deformities. Does this kind of uvula issue will also require surgery in future? If yes, then how to identify it?

Answered by Dr. Alok

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Thank you for your words.

Surgery in the cleft palate is not done for cosmetic reasons. You can get it done if needed, but, doctors do not usually advice. Main concerns are speech and swallowing. Speech if growing normal then that is good. Swallowing, little regurgitation is present, but will not be corrected as long it is not affecting feeding, growth and development. Once the child is fully grown up, our aim is no problem should remain and any surgery if possible is usually done.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Alok
Dr. Alok

Otolaryngology (E.N.T)

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