Objective To analyze the significance of operation date in clinical path designing of cleft lip-palate. Methods The case records of cleft lip-palate patients from 8 hospitals in Gansu province were collected from 2005 to 2008. By means of comprehensive analysis of case records and frequencies of hospitalization duration, analyzed the influence of operation date selection on hospitalization duration in clinical path designing. Result In Gansu province, the average hospitalization duration of cleft lip-palate was 11 days, and the operation was usually done at the sixth day. The main preparations for operation were kinds of examinations. Within five days after operation, most treatments were postoperative care, diet and antibiotic therapy. Conclusion The strategy of operation date selection is much important to ascertain the real hospitalization duration in clinical path designing.