Cleft Lip Repair Timing — MFDS Part 1 MCQ
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Correct answer: A — Approximately 3–4 months
Primary cleft lip repair is usually undertaken at approximately 3–4 months in a medically fit infant, making A correct. Current NHS pathways generally place lip repair within the broader 3–6-month period. Repair at birth or within the first month is not routine UK practice. The 6–12-month period is associated principally with cleft palate repair rather than primary lip repair. Waiting until 12–18 months would represent an unnecessary delay in an otherwise fit infant. Surgery at approximately 8–12 years relates to secondary alveolar bone grafting when the alveolus is involved. The traditional “rule of 10s” is historically associated with operative readiness, but current UK teaching should emphasise the multidisciplinary cleft pathway and individual clinical fitness rather than treat that rule as an absolute requirement.
Reference: Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, “Cleft lip and palate”, section “When will the cleft lip and palate be repaired?”, updated 20 August 2026. https://www.newcastle-hospitals.nhs.uk/resources/cleft-lip-and-palate/