Cleft Lip Repair | Cleft Palate Surgery

Cleft Lip & Palate Repair

Cleft Lip And Cleft Palate Surgery

Cleft lip repair and cleft palate surgery are specialized treatments that can address the improper formation of the lip or palate in infants. Cleft lips and cleft palates are two common birth defects that affect thousands of children each year. Though the causes of these cleft disorders are still being studied, genetics, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices during pregnancy may influence the formation of a cleft lip or cleft palate in babies.

Cleft lips form when lip tissues do not join together, leading to a separation in the lip. Cleft palates occur when oral tissues fail to form completely, resulting in an opening at the roof of the mouth. These cleft disorders can affect speech, hearing, breathing, and eating, while also leaving infants susceptible to infections and future dental issues. Many plastic surgeons specialize in cleft lip surgery and cleft palate repair to surgically enhance the appearance of these birth defects and to improve quality of life.

Cleft Lip / Cleft Palate Treatment At A Glance
Can repair a cleft lip or cleft palate
Surgically connects the lip or palate to repair the cleft
Enhances the appearance of the lips and mouth
Can improve functionality, including speaking, breathing, feeding, and hearing
Correcting the cleft can reduce the chance of future infections
Can be performed in the months following birth

Your Cleft Lip / Cleft Palate Procedure

Cleft lip / cleft palate repair can be performed at an outpatient surgical facility or local hospital. Cleft surgery can connect tissue and muscle to close the opening left by a cleft lip or cleft palate. Different surgical techniques can be utilized to repair the cleft disorder, depending on the particular procedure. Your cleft palate / cleft lip surgeon can discuss which method is right for your child during your consultation.

Overview Of Cleft Lip & Cleft Palate Surgery

Cleft Lip Repair	Cleft Palate Repair
Can surgically bring together the gap causing the cleft lip	Surgically connects the opening at the roof of the mouth causing a cleft palate
Connects lip tissue and muscle together to join the lip	Rejoins oral muscles and tissues to close the separation found at the palate
Usually performed when the patient is 6-12 weeks old	Usually performed when the patient is 8-12 months old

What To Expect After Undergoing Cleft Palate / Cleft Lip Repair

Additional procedures may be needed following cleft palate repair or cleft lip surgery to ensure optimal healing. You can expect natural-looking results for your child, as well as an improvement in functionality (breathing, eating, speaking, and hearing) after cleft disorder treatment. Your cleft repair surgeon can discuss further aftercare specifics, timetables, and guidelines during an in-office consultation.

Get Started With Cleft Lip / Cleft Palate Surgery

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DISCLAIMER

This website is meant to be informational in nature and should never be considered as a substitute for the opinion of a medical professional. The Persian American Society of Plastic Surgeons provides these services to help patients find a qualified plastic surgeon to help meet their particular goals. PASPS cannot guarantee patient satisfaction when undergoing treatment with one of our affiliated surgeons you decide to select.