Surgical repair of the cleft palate

The cleft palate is an important craniofacial defect resulting in direct functional deficits and is related to a variety of genetic syndromes. It varies in degree and clinical setting. Repair is important for oral and nasal function. This article describes methods for repair including 2-flap palatoplasty and V-Y pushback. Patient evaluation, postoperative care, and potential complications are discussed. Multidisciplinary team care is vital for these patients because of the variety of functions affected by this entity, and the need for timely diagnosis and intervention.