Cleft Surgery
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Cleft Lip

The cleft lip deformity is the most common congenital deformity seen in the United States. The overall occurrence is one in seven hundred live births. Some ethnic groups (eskimos, asians) have a higher number of babies with cleft lip. Sometimes the cleft lip is associated with a cleft in the roof of the mouth (cleft palate). The cleft lip maybe unilateral (one side) or bilateral (on either side of the nose). The cleft lip maybe complete (no bridging tissue across the cleft) of incomplete.

The deformity seen in a baby with a cleft lip includes the lip, muscles around the lip, and the nose. All these deformities should be addressed at the initial surgery. The alveolus (the bone where the teeth come out) may also have a cleft, which may be address early if the deformity is not too severe, often the alveolus cleft is corrected at seven or eight years old. The repair of the lip is usually completed around three months of age.

In preparation for the repair, early manipulation of the skin and nose is started at two to three weeks of age either by special taping across the cleft or with a small device within the mouth. It is very important that a craniofacial team is available for taking care of any baby with a cleft lip.

The first step is to make sure that no other problems with your baby exists. This is usually done at the time of birth by your pediatrician and also during your first visit to our office. During that visit you will also be provided with information pamphlets and meet members of the craniofacial team.