palatoplasty surgery Nursing Responsibility:
- Check vital signs after palatoplasty surgery
- Administer oxygen
- Observe for bleeding
- Start feeding after 4-6 hours
- Apply elbow/ arm restraint to avoid putting/sucking fingers or objects in mouth
- Give psychological support to mother and family members to reduced fear and anxiety
- Administer iv fluids, analgesic, and IV antibiotics as per order
- Maintain intake and output chart to observe feeding intolerance

Advice or education:
Oral hygiene
- Advice mother to give water after every feeds to remove food particles, prevent infection and maintain oral hygiene
Feedings
- Educate mother to give feeds by syringe, cup or dropper for 1 week
- Spoon feed can be given but not introduce deeper or not touch the roof of mouth to avoid injury to palate.
- Avoid using bottles, pacifiers/normal teats till 2-3 weeks
- Avoid sucking and chewing, if the baby is taking solid diet only soft diet is allowed after 7th day of surgery
Discharge / bleeding:
- Educate the mother to observe for any fever, any color changes, discharge or bleeding in suture area, immediately consult the doctor.
palatoplasty surgery Follow up:
- Continue discharge medicines
- Consult doctor after 1 week