Surgeries for cleft lip & palate

Surgeries for cleft lip and palate aim to correct the congenital deformities that occur when the tissue that forms the roof of the mouth (palate) or the lip fails to fuse properly during fetal development. These surgeries are typically performed by a team of specialists, including plastic surgeons, oral surgeons, otolaryngologists (ENT), and speech therapists, and are tailored to the individual needs of each patient. Here are the main surgical procedures involved:

Cleft Lip Repair
  • This surgery is usually performed when the baby is around 3 to 6 months old.
  • The surgeon will carefully reposition and suture the tissues to close the gap in the lip, restoring a more normal appearance.
  • The goal is to achieve symmetry, improve lip function, and minimize scarring.
Cleft Palate Repair
  • This surgery is typically done when the child is around 9 to 18 months old, or sometimes later depending on the individual case.
  • The surgeon will close the gap in the palate, reconstructing the roof of the mouth to improve feeding, speech development, and dental health.
  • Techniques may involve tissue rearrangement, tissue grafting, or a combination of both to achieve optimal results.
Orthognathic Surgery
  • In some cases, additional surgery may be needed during adolescence to correct jaw alignment issues that can arise due to cleft palate.
  • Orthognathic surgery aims to improve the alignment of the upper and lower jaws, enhancing facial symmetry, bite function, and aesthetics.
Revision Surgeries
  • Additional procedures may be required over time to address issues such as scar revision, nasal deformities, or speech difficulties.
  • These revisions aim to further optimize function and appearance as the child grows and develops.
Speech Therapy
  • Alongside surgical interventions, speech therapy plays a crucial role in helping children with cleft lip and palate develop proper speech patterns and communication skills.

Overall, the goal of surgeries for cleft lip and palate is to improve both the functional and aesthetic outcomes, enabling affected individuals to lead fulfilling lives with improved speech, feeding, and self-esteem. It's important for these surgeries to be part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes ongoing multidisciplinary care to address the diverse needs of patients with cleft lip and palate.