Pre-operative and Post-operative Nursing Care of a Child with Cleft Lip:
We shall begin with pre-operative nursing care and then focus on post-operative care. As you know that initial treatment of cldt lip is surgical repair. The cleft lip is repaired first, because the infants is unable to take food. The babv is unable to suck because he cannot create vacuum in his mouth.
The infant who has to undergo plastic surgery for the repair of a cleft lip is admitted a few days in advance. A complete examination including blood tests are carried out. You need to report any sign of infection such as cold to your senior so that appropriate measures are taken. Sometimes the concerned surgeon prescribes the restraints to prevent the patient from scratches so that child gets accustomed to it because they are necessary post- operatively.
You need to use syringe with a rubber tip to feed the baby before and after surgery, so that sucking motions must be avoided in order to decrease tension on the suture line.
Post-operative Care The goals of care during post-operative period include:
Prevent the baby from sucking and crying to avoid tension on suture line. Give proper position (Never place the baby on abdomen) Proper cleaning of the suture line to prevent crust formation which can lead to scarring. Prevent injury to operative site by applying proper restraints. Meet the emotional needs of child by cuddling and affection.
You have to feed the child by dropper until the wound is completely healed and you have to involve the parents in feeding and day to day care of the child.