Hospital
Cleft Lip
Also known as: Paediatric Plastic Surgery, Millard Repair, Cleft Lip Correction, Velopharyngeal Surgery, Congenital Facial Surgery
Recovery
- Cleft Lip (Cheiloplasty): Initial healing takes 2–4 weeks
- Cleft Palate (Palatoplasty): Healing takes approximately 2 weeks, with specialized diet restrictions for 3–6 weeks to protect the internal repair
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About Cleft Lip
Treated areas:Alveolar Ridge, Lips, Nasal Base, Palate
CLEFT LIP & PALATE REPAIR: Restore • Function • Grow
Providing a Lifetime of Smiles | Expert Surgical Care for Feeding, Speech & Confidence
Cleft lip and cleft palate are gaps in the upper lip or the roof of the mouth present from birth. These conditions are more than aesthetic; they can significantly impact a child’s ability to feed, hear, and develop clear speech. Our specialized surgery closes these gaps, reconstructs the underlying muscles, and restores the natural anatomy, ensuring your child can grow, eat, and speak with confidence and health.
What You Will Achieve
✅ Natural Lip & Nose Shape: Closes the gap and joins muscles to create a balanced, symmetrical lip and a well-proportioned nose.
✅ Safe & Easy Feeding: Creates the necessary suction for breastfeeding or bottle feeding and prevents food/liquid from entering the nasal cavity.
✅ Clear Speech Development: Rebuilds the palate muscles in layers to ensure normal sound production and clear communication.
✅ Healthy Hearing: Properly separates the mouth and nose to lower the risk of fluid buildup and ear infections.
✅ Proper Facial Growth: Supports the healthy development of the jaw and facial structure as your child grows.
✅ Seamless Integration: Scars are placed carefully and fade significantly over time, becoming very faint as the child matures.
Ideal Candidate
- Infants (3–12 months): The primary window for initial lip and palate closure.
- Children & Adolescents: Those requiring secondary revisions or structural support as they grow.
- Adults: Individuals with untreated or previously inadequate repairs seeking functional or aesthetic improvement.
Real Results
How It Is Performed
| Age / Stage | Procedure | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-operative (0–3 months) | Nasoalveolar moulding (NAM) | Reduce cleft width; prepare lip and nose |
| 3 months | Cleft lip repair (Millard / Tennison-Randall) | Close lip; restore orbicularis muscle continuity |
| 9–18 months | Palate repair (Furlow / Sommerlad) | Close palate; restore velopharyngeal function for speech |
| 2–5 years | Speech therapy assessment | Velopharyngeal function monitoring; pharyngeal flap if needed |
| 8–10 years | Alveolar bone graft | Restore alveolar continuity before permanent canine eruption |
| Adolescence | Cleft rhinoplasty + lip revision | Definitive nasal and lip aesthetic refinement |
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Frequently Asked Questions
At what age should cleft lip surgery be performed?
Primary lip repair is typically performed at 3-6 months of age; palate repair generally follows between 9-18 months to support speech development.
Will my child need more than one surgery?
Yes, cleft care is staged: primary lip repair, palate repair, secondary nasal refinements, alveolar bone grafting (age 7-9) and possibly rhinoplasty or jaw surgery in adolescence.
How visible will the scar be?
Modern techniques produce a discreet scar following the natural philtral column, softening significantly during childhood with proper aftercare
Can adults receive cleft lip revision?
Absolutely, many adults benefit from secondary revision surgery, scar revision, lip rebalancing or cleft rhinoplasty.
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