Can cleft lip and palate surgery fail?

Cleft lip and palate surgery may occasionally fail. Unilateral cleft lip and palate is generally repaired within 3 months after birth, while bilateral cleft lip and palate is usually corrected around 12 months after birth. If the initial surgical correction does not achieve satisfactory results or fails to fully correct the defect, a secondary procedure may be required after 2 to 3 years. Postoperative scarring at the incision site is common, and there is potential for tissue damage leading to complications such as infection, hematoma, or functional impairment. However, cleft lip and palate repair is considered a minimally invasive procedure with a very low risk of surgical failure.