The Case of a Cleft Lip and Palate Surgery
A cleft lip and palate repair surgery is required when a child is born with a cleft lip and palate. During the first 6 to 10 weeks of pregnancy, the skin and bones of a baby’s nose, mouth, and upper jaw fuse together to form the roof of the mouth and the upper lip. A cleft happens when parts of the lip and/or palate do not fuse together completely.
Clefts are usually found after the birth of the child. There are times when they are evident during prenatal ultrasounds as well. A cleft palate is harder to see without a cleft lip. Medical professionals usually detect a cleft palate after looking and feeling inside a baby’s mouth during the first newborn exam. A cleft lip and palate can cause problems with feeding, speech development, hearing, and the overall growth and development of a child. Therefore, a cleft lip and palate surgery needs to be conducted while the child is still young.
What Causes a Cleft Lip and Palate?
The causes behind a cleft lip and palate are not always known. There are, however, genetic reasons involved in certain cases. Environmental factors could lead to such birth defects at all, such as an individual consuming certain medicines during the pregnancy, exposure to specific chemicals during the pregnancy period, smoking, ingesting drugs, drinking alcohol, and not getting the adequate amount of prenatal nutrients.
A team of specialists evaluate and treat cases of a cleft lip and palate. These specialists could include orthodontists, pediatric dentists, plastic surgeons, otolaryngologists, pediatricians, hearing specialists, psychologists, and speech language pathologists. Social workers, genetic counselors, and occupational therapists could be involved too.
Our Long-Term Follow Up of a Cleft Lip and Palate Surgery
Seven years ago, Dr. Sunil Richardson, who is the best cleft lip surgeon in India, did a cleft lip and palate repair surgery on a baby girl who was just 3 months old. Seven years later, she came back to our hospital for a surgical treatment regarding a hole in her upper jaw. Looking at her in the present day, one cannot even tell that she has a cleft lip and palate surgery done. The parents of the child were extremely happy with the results and are confident about the treatment she will be receiving further at Richardsons. The cheiloplasty surgery before and after photos show the commendable work that Dr. Richardson did on the little girl.
A cleft lip surgery in India can be quite tricky, much like in any other country, but with our expert medical professionals on the job, you are bound to get the best service with the most efficient results. Seeing a kid who got a cleft sip surgery done at our hospital years ago come back looking happy and healthy is always a wonderful experience. No child deserves to live with the stigma associated with a cleft lip and palate, which is why we believe in giving them the most exceptional treatment so that they are physically and psychologically indistinguishable from the other children.