Postoperative positioning for an infant after cleft lip repair to protect the incision site?

• A. Supine and side-lying positions
• B. Prone position
• C. Standing upright
• D. Sitting up in a car seat

Answer: (A)

After cleft lip repair, the focus is on protecting the incision by minimizing pressure and friction on the upper lip. Placing the infant supine (on the back) reduces contact with the lip and keeps gravity from pushing the incision against a surface. Side-lying can also be used safely, with the head turned so the operative side isn’t pressed into the bedding; this position helps keep the lip away from direct pressure while allowing easy breathing and feeding. In contrast, prone positioning would press the lip against a surface and increase the risk of wound disruption or edema. Standing upright or sitting in a car seat isn’t appropriate for an infant post-op since these positions don’t provide stable control of movement and can place pressure or cause movement that jeopardizes the incision.