Question

A child diagnosed with both cleft lip and cleft palate presents to your clinicTo support ideal speech development, when should the cleft palate surgery ideally be performed?

• A. At 3 to 6 months of age
• B. After the age of 5 years
• C. Between 2 to 3 years of age
• D. Between 9 to 18 months of age

Hint:

Cleft lip repair → Around 3 months
Cleft palate repair → Before speech develops → 9–18 months.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Importance of Timing in Cleft Palate Repair.
Cleft palate repair (palatoplasty) is crucial for normal speech developmentThe soft palate plays an essential role in velopharyngeal closure, which is necessary for proper articulation and prevention of hypernasal speech
Step 2: Optimal Age for Surgery.
Surgery should be performed before significant speech development beginsEarly closure helps the child develop normal speech patternsMost guidelines recommend palatoplasty between 9 and 18 months of age
Step 3: Evaluation of Other Options.
3 to 6 months is typically the timing for cleft lip repair, not palate repair
After 5 years is too late and may result in persistent speech abnormalities
2 to 3 years is later than ideal for optimal speech outcomes
Step 4: Conclusion.
To support ideal speech development, cleft palate surgery should ideally be performed between 9 and 18 months of age