CLEFT LIP/PALATE

How do cleft lips/palates occur?

Cleft lips and cleft palates are innate anomalies that occur during the development of baby in mother’s womb. It is a complication that we observe in baby’s nose, lips, gingiva and/or palate, which is a consequence of opposite oral structures’ not conjugating. It occurs as four different sorts: single or double sided, complete or incomplete.

How is cleft lip/palate treated?

Cleft lip is usually treated after baby turns three months old. Alongside with cleft lip, by recovering nose deformities and functionalities, an aesthetically pleasant look is aimed.

Cleft lip-palate surgeries are performed in hospitals with general anaesthesia. Surgery lasts for 1.5-3 hours, depending on its extent. The openings in the nose base are filled by conjugating the tissues in the cleft areas. Through supporting the surgery area by sterile tape and tamps both bleeding control is provided, and the area is protected. Additional touch-ups are rarely required.

How is the recovery process post-cleft lip/palate surgery?

Post-surgery, the hygiene of the stitched areas is extremely important in terms of the pace of the recovery. Nutrition and medical dressing should be applied the way that the doctor described. Post-surgery, minor bleeding, discomfort and pain is considered as normal.

Will any scars remain post-surgery?

Regarding post-surgery scars, while there are no visible inner mouth marks; outer parts may seem reddish and as a wide mark. This look will improve in time. But no scar will be totally absent.

In case the surgery is performed skilfully, the scars will only be slightly visible. It is possible to minimize post-surgery scars and achieve the optimal results.