Cleft Lip and Palate Repair

Cleft lip and palate repair is a highly specialized reconstructive surgery designed to correct one of the most common congenital facial differences — the separation or opening in the upper lip, the roof of the mouth (palate), or both. This condition not only affects a child’s facial appearance but can also interfere with essential functions like feeding, speech, hearing, and dental development. Through precise surgical care, our goal is to restore both form and function, allowing patients to lead full, confident, and healthy lives.

Understanding Cleft Lip and Palate

A cleft lip occurs when the upper lip does not fully form during early fetal development, resulting in a visible gap. A cleft palate, on the other hand, involves an opening in the roof of the mouth that may affect the soft and/or hard palate. These conditions can appear individually or together, often requiring staged surgical interventions as the child grows.

Beyond the physical appearance, clefts can impact feeding in infancy, cause ear infections, affect speech clarity, and lead to dental irregularities. That’s why cleft care requires not just surgery, but a multidisciplinary approach involving surgeons, speech therapists, orthodontists, and pediatric specialists — all working together for the child’s long-term health and development.

Our Approach to Cleft Repair

At our clinic, we focus on delivering comprehensive, compassionate, and customized treatment for every patient. Our team evaluates each case carefully, considering the child’s age, health, and the specific anatomy of the cleft. We typically recommend:

• Cleft Lip Repair (Cheiloplasty): Usually performed within the first 3 to 6 months of life. This procedure closes the separation in the lip and restores normal muscle function and shape, creating a natural, balanced appearance.

• Cleft Palate Repair (Palatoplasty): Generally performed between 9 to 18 months of age. It closes the gap in the roof of the mouth, allowing normal speech development and preventing food or fluids from entering the nasal cavity.

In some cases, additional procedures — such as alveolar bone grafting, nasal reshaping, or speech correction surgeries — may be performed later to refine facial balance and function as the child grows.

Precision and Aesthetic Harmony

Cleft repair is both a functional and aesthetic procedure. Our surgeons not only focus on closing the gap but also on restoring the natural curves, symmetry, and proportions of the face. We take special care to reconstruct the lip line, nose, and mouth contours for a result that looks as natural as possible.

For cleft palate repairs, advanced microsurgical techniques help reestablish the muscles of the soft palate, essential for proper speech and swallowing. These precise reconstructions play a critical role in a child’s ability to communicate clearly and confidently.

Comprehensive Care Beyond Surgery

Recovery and long-term care are essential parts of the cleft journey. After surgery, our multidisciplinary team supports families with ongoing care, including speech therapy, hearing assessments, and dental or orthodontic guidance. This holistic approach ensures that each child not only heals well but also thrives physically, socially, and emotionally.

Our surgeons provide detailed post-operative care plans, guiding parents on feeding, scar management, and follow-up schedules. As the child grows, additional minor touch-ups may be needed to refine the results and ensure continued functional and aesthetic harmony.

Empowering Families, Transforming Futures

Cleft lip and palate repair is more than a medical procedure — it’s a life-changing transformation. For parents, it brings immense relief to see their child’s smile restored. For children, it opens doors to normal speech, confidence, and social connection.

We understand the emotional journey families experience, and we are dedicated to walking beside them every step of the way — from diagnosis to long-term care. Our compassionate team ensures that every child receives the attention, skill, and support they deserve.

Why Choose Our Cleft Surgery Team

Our experienced reconstructive surgeons are highly skilled in pediatric facial surgery, using state-of-the-art techniques that prioritize safety, precision, and aesthetics. With a patient-centered approach, we aim for outcomes that look natural, function perfectly, and grow beautifully with the child.

At our clinic, every cleft repair represents hope, healing, and a new beginning — one smile at a time.