Real-Life Communication
Yvette has recently given birth to her son, George. She is thrilled
to be a new mom, but is concerned by George's facial deformity. Her doctor
has called it a cleft palate, and has sent her to you for further information
and possible surgery for her child.
First, you must explain to Yvette
exactly what a cleft palate is, and how it can affect her son's eating and
speaking. You will also discuss when and how the deformity may be surgically
repaired.
"Communications are an extremely important skill," says Benjamin
Davis. He is an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. "Interacting with patients
is a large part of this work. It's a skill that's first learned in dental
or medical school and it remains important."
This is what you tell Yvette
about George's cleft palate:
As you can see on George, his
lip has a slight notch in it. This is called a cleft lip. It can range from
this type of small notch to a complete separation of the lip right up to the
nose. The gum can also be notched, but this isn't the case with George.
The
reason we recommend repairing a cleft lip is to adjust the facial appearance
of the child, and to make it so they can make all speech sounds. In some babies
with more severe cases, the cleft lip can also interfere with sucking.
Most
people are born with a palate on the roof of their mouth. Towards the front
is a hard palate and at the back is a soft palate. George is missing the soft
palate. This will make it difficult for George to speak. The palate prevents
air from going up the nose instead of out the mouth during speech. The palate
also prevents food and drink from going up the nose.
The recommended
surgery is to close the hole between the mouth and the nose, and to reconnect
the muscles to make the palate work. In some cases, the child will develop
a new hole (called a fistula) after the surgery, which may require additional
surgery.
Both cleft lips and palates occur early in pregnancy when the
different areas of the face don't join together properly.
That is a
bit about cleft lips and palates. Do you have any questions before I continue
speaking?
Yvette nods her head. "Yes, I do. If you don't
mind."
These are Yvette's questions:
- How will a cleft palate interfere with George's ability to eat and speak?
- How did George get a cleft lip and palate?
- What is a fistula?