Which statement about the postoperative follow-up plan is accurate?

Which statement about the postoperative follow-up plan is accurate?

• A. The infant will be seen every two weeks to coordinate care.
• B. The infant will be seen only if problems arise.
• C. The infant will be followed by the surgical team for several years with no routine follow-up.
• D. No further follow-up is needed after discharge.

Answer: (A)

Postoperative follow-up is about ensuring proper healing and coordinating ongoing care across a multidisciplinary team for the infant who had cleft lip or palate repair. In the weeks after surgery, close observation helps catch issues early—things like wound healing at the repair site, signs of infection, edema, or dehiscence—while also supporting feeding as the infant transitions after surgery. These visits also lay the groundwork for later milestones, bringing in speech therapy, feeding support, orthodontic assessment, and any needed additional interventions. Checking in every two weeks provides a practical rhythm to monitor healing, adjust home care and pain management, and promptly address concerns while the infant is growing quickly. Relying on problems driving visits means issues can be missed or delayed, and assuming no routine follow-up or no further follow-up ignores the ongoing nature of cleft care that requires regular evaluation and coordinated therapy.