Cleft lip and cleft palate are deformities that occur early in pregnancy. They are caused by a lack of tissue around the mouth. What tissue there is does not join properly.
What are cleft lip and cleft palate?
A cleft lip, also sometimes called a harelip, is a split between two sides of the upper lip. A cleft palate is a split or opening in the roof of the mouth. It can involve the hard palate (hard bony part in the front of the mouth) and the soft palate (the soft part in the back of the mouth.) Cleft lip and cleft palate can occur separately or together. They can also occur on one side of the face (unilateral) or both sides (bilateral).
Cleft lip is the fourth most common birth defect in the US. Clefts of either type are more common in children of Native American, Latino or Asian descent. The exact causes of clefts are unknown, but they can run in families. They can cause a variety of health problems including ear infections, speech impediments, and dental problems.
What kind of surgeries are needed?
Repairing a cleft lip is comparatively straightforward. Depending on the size and extent of the cleft, the child will need one or two surgeries. The first one will be performed when the child is around three months old. During the operation, the surgeon will close the cleft by making incisions on either side of the cleft to make flaps of tissue that can be sewn together. He will also make certain there is a normal amount of distance between the nose and the lip, and he will give the lip a normal appearance. Since severe cleft lip can involve the nose, he will also operate on the nose if necessary. The recovery period lasts two or three weeks, and the patient will take medicines to prevent infection and relieve pain. A small child will probably have to wear arm restraints to keep them from picking at the operation site.
A cleft palate is a lot more complicated and will require many operations. The first one will be done when the child is six to twelve months old. Its purpose will be to give the child a functional palate, prevent fluid from developing in the middle ears, and help the teeth and facial bones develop normally.
When the child is around eight, a bone graft may be necessary to fill in the upper gum line to stabilize the upper jaw and properly support permanent teeth. (Most children with cleft palates are girls.) About 20% of children with cleft palates will need more surgeries to improve their speech. Other children may need operations to stabilize and realign the jaw, help their breathing, close openings between the mouth and nose, and give them a more normal appearance. After their facial structure is more fully developed in adolescence, they will have an operation to repair any scars.
Contact Athena Plastic Surgery today to schedule an appointment. We have extensive experience helping patients who are suffering from cleft lip and cleft palate. We welcome the opportunity to address any of your concerns before scheduling a facial reconstruction procedure.