English
Cleft Lip and Palate Repair in Broadway, Kolkata

Cleft Lip and Palate Repair

Cleft Lip and Palate Repair in Broadway, Kolkata

Cleft lip and cleft palate are birth defects that occur when the tissues of the upper lip and roof of the mouth (palate) do not fully fuse during fetal development. These separations can affect a baby's appearance, as well as their ability to eat, speak, and breathe properly.

Surgery is typically required to repair cleft lip and palate. In Salt Lake, Kolkata, specialised surgical procedures are available to correct these conditions. Additionally, dental treatments and speech therapy may be recommended to address associated issues and ensure optimal development and function. Early intervention is crucial for treating cleft lip and palate, and a multidisciplinary approach involving surgeons, dentists, and therapists can help provide comprehensive care to affected individuals.

Consult our hospital if you need Cleft Lip and Palate Repair in Broadway, Kolkata. 

Cleft lip and palate are birth defects where the upper lip and mouth's roof don't fully fuse. Get expert care. Book an online consultation today at Manipal Hospitals.

FAQ's

When a child is developing in the womb, the tissues that make up the upper lip or palate fail to fuse, resulting in a cleft lip or palate.
It's frequently unknown why exactly some babies experience this. Cleft lip and palate are occasionally linked to:

  • The genes inherited by a child from their parents

  • Smoking or consuming alcohol during pregnancy

  • Pregnancy-related obesity and insufficient folic acid intake

  • Use of certain medications in pregnancy (anti-seizure, anti-cancer drugs.)

  • Pregnancy-related exposure to specific viruses or substances.

Cleft lip and palate can often be detected during routine prenatal screenings and shortly after birth. Between 18 and 21 weeks of pregnancy, a detailed ultrasound scan is commonly performed as part of a 20-week screening. While some cleft lips may be visible on this ultrasound, cleft palates can be more challenging to identify using this method. If a cleft lip or palate is not detected during the prenatal ultrasound, it is usually diagnosed shortly after birth. The condition is typically identified within the first 72 hours after delivery, either during the newborn physical examination or soon after.
 

There are various types of treatments for Cleft Lip and Palate depending on your child's condition:

  • Surgery: A cleft lip correction operation is typically performed between the ages of three and six months, while a cleft palate repair operation is typically performed between the ages of six and twelve months.

  • Feeding support: You may require guidance on how to best position your infant on your breast to facilitate feeding, or you may need to use a special kind of bottle.

  • Observing hearing: A newborn with a cleft palate is more likely to develop a glue ear, which can impair hearing. It's crucial to keep a close eye on their hearing. If the glue ear severely impairs it, a hearing aid may be provided, or grommets small tubes that drain fluid from the ear may be inserted.

  • Speech and language therapy: During your child's early years, a speech and language therapist will track their progress and provide assistance with any issues related to speech and language.

  • Orthodontic therapy and proper dental hygiene: You will receive guidance on how to take care of your child's teeth, and if their adult teeth erupt improperly, they might require braces.

One or two procedures may be necessary to correct a Cleft Lip. Your child will often have their first operation between the ages of three and six months. Their lip is closed by this operation. If a second surgery is required, it is often performed by the time your child is six months old.

If certain procedures are applied correctly before surgery, they can enhance the results of surgeries for cleft lip and palate. They can significantly alter the form of your baby's lip, nose, and mouth and are non-invasive. They may include:

Your child's cleft lip can be closed off with a lip-taping regimen.
Your baby's nose will take on a more natural shape with the aid of a nasal elevator.
To prepare the lip tissues for surgical lip restoration, a nasal-alveolar moulding (NAM) device can assist in moulding the tissues into a more advantageous posture.
 

Cleft palate repair surgery is typically performed when the child is around 12 months old. This procedure aims to close the gap in the palate, reducing the likelihood of fluid accumulation in the middle ears and promoting the development of a functional palate.

Post-Surgery Care:

  • Ear Tubes: Many children with cleft palates require special tubes in their eardrums to help drain fluid and prevent fluid buildup. Regular hearing tests by medical professionals are essential, often on an annual basis.

  • Speech Evaluation: Up to 40% of children with cleft palates may need additional surgeries to improve speech. Between ages 4 and 5, a speech pathologist will evaluate your child's speech. Throat and palate movements may be examined using a nasopharyngeal scope. Surgery to enhance speech may be recommended by age five.

  • Bone Graft: Between ages 6 and 10, children with clefts involving the gum line may require a bone graft. This procedure fills in the upper gum line to support permanent teeth and stabilize the upper jaw.

  • Orthodontic Treatment: Braces may be necessary as permanent teeth erupt and the palate expands to align and straighten teeth.

Additional Procedures:

  • Nose and Lip Enhancement: Procedures may be performed to enhance the appearance of the nose and lips.

  • Respiratory Improvement: Surgeries can be done to improve breathing.

  • Jaw Alignment: Additional procedures may ensure that the jaws are straight and stable.

Regular follow-ups with a multidisciplinary team, including surgeons, speech therapists, and orthodontists, are crucial for monitoring your child's progress and addressing any ongoing needs.
 

Most children who receive treatment for cleft lip or palate can expect to lead completely normal lives as adults. The majority of these children would not experience significant health issues beyond their cleft condition. Treatment can often improve facial appearance, as well as address feeding and communication challenges.

After cleft lip surgery, a small pink scar above the lip may remain. However, as the child grows older, this scar typically becomes less noticeable over time.
 

Home Broadway Specialities Oral-maxillo-facial-surgery Cleft-lip-and-palate-repair

Appointment
Health Check
Contact Us
review icon
Review Us
Call Us