[The optimal times for the surgical treatment of children with congenital cleft lip and palate].

Analysis of the remote results of surgical, orthopedic, and orthodontic treatment of children with cheiloschisis has demonstrated that early surgery of the palate results in development of grave maxillodental deformations involving prolonged many-stage orthodontic treatment, not always effective. The authors claim that surgery on the palate is advisable at the age of 5-7 in children with subtotal palatal clefts and at the age of 10-11 in those with total unilateral and bilateral clefts. Before surgery the child is to be provided for with an occlusive palatal plate starting from the first month of his life and should be administered orthodontic treatment, if necessary.