Ideal time for repair of a cleft lip is:

 # The ideal time for repair of a cleft lip is:

A. Immediately after birth

B. 3 weeks to 3 months

C. 3 months to 3 years

D. After puberty

The correct answer is B. 3 weeks to 3 months.

Variations occur in timing of the first lip surgery; however, the most usual time occurs at approximately three months of age. Pediatricians used to strictly follow a rule of ‘three 10s’ as a necessary requirement for identifying the child’s status as suitable for surgery (i.e. 10 lb, 10 mg/L of hemoglobin, and age 10 weeks). Although pediatricians are presently much more flexible, and some surgeons may well justify a neonatal lip closure, the rule of three 10s is still very useful.

Ref: Shafer's Textbook of Oral pathology, 7th Edition, Page no. 21

CLICK HERE FOR MORE MCQs