Pediatric Dentistry · single question
When is cleft LIP surgically repaired?
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Correct answer: B. 3 months of age (using the 'Rule of 10s')
B) 3 months of age (Rule of 10s) — CORRECT.
Cleft lip repair follows the "Rule of 10s": performed when the child is approximately 10 weeks old, weighs at least 10 pounds (4.5 kg), and has hemoglobin ≥ 10 g/dL. This is approximately 3 months of age. This ensures the child can tolerate general anesthesia safely and has adequate tissue for repair.
A) At birth: Both cleft lip and palate are never repaired at birth — tissue is too fragile, anesthesia risk too high.
C) 3–6 years: Too late; delay worsens feeding, speech development, and psychosocial development.
D) 6–12 months: This approximates palate repair timing — not lip repair.
Cleft lip repair follows the "Rule of 10s": performed when the child is approximately 10 weeks old, weighs at least 10 pounds (4.5 kg), and has hemoglobin ≥ 10 g/dL. This is approximately 3 months of age. This ensures the child can tolerate general anesthesia safely and has adequate tissue for repair.
A) At birth: Both cleft lip and palate are never repaired at birth — tissue is too fragile, anesthesia risk too high.
C) 3–6 years: Too late; delay worsens feeding, speech development, and psychosocial development.
D) 6–12 months: This approximates palate repair timing — not lip repair.
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