Cleft Lip

A Cleft Lip may be unilateral or bilateral, complete or incomplete. The goals of cleft lip repair include re-establishment of muscle continuity and re-creation of the normal landmarks of a lip. The skin, muscles and mucous membranes are surgically moved from their abnormal positions and joined back together again.

Cleft lip repair is normally performed around age 3-6 months or at 10 kg weight of the baby. These babies feed easily, gain weight quickly and become bonded to their families with minimal disruption. At JAH we admit the baby for 2-3 nights. This surgery is not covered by insurance in UAE. more difficult and complicated bilateral lip repairs costs more.

Normal landmarks recreated in the repair of a cleft lip include the philtrum or central dimple of the upper lip, the philtrum column or ridge on either side of the central dimple, the cupid's bow curvature between the white and red regions of the lip, and the vermilion tubercle or pout of the central red part of the upper lip.

Cleft Palate

A Cleft Palate may be unilateral or bilateral, involve the soft palate only, soft and hard palate, and extend thru the gum where teeth will eventually erupt. The goals of cleft palate repair include re-establishment of muscle continuity in the soft palate, and re-approximation of the palate lining across the cleft. The palate lining is shifted from the sides to the center and stitched together. The bare areas left on the sides heal in spontaneously.

Cleft palate repair is normally performed around age 6 to 9 months, in time for speech development. When present a cleft through the gum, or alveolar process, may also be closed at this time. However a bone graft may be required around age 6 to 8 years to anchor the eruption of a permanent tooth.

Many children will require speech therapy and, occasionally, a surgical pharyngoplasty, to correct nasal speech. The timing of these surgeries for tooth eruption and speech is coordinated by the Cleft Palate Team.

Children with cleft palates may have problems with hearing, speech, and teeth eruption. Cleft palate team members, in addition to plastic surgeons, include audiologists, ear specialists, speech pathologists and therapists, dentists, orthodontists and oral surgeons.

Cleft Lip Nasal Deformity

A Cleft Nasal Deformity is typically associated with cleft lip and palate. The affected side of the nose is widened and flattened due to displacement of the nasal cartilages. The goals of cleft nasal surgery are to re-establish normal nasal tip projection, alignment of the nares, and position of the nasal base. To supplement the cartilages of the nasal tip, a cartilage graft may be required. Our surgeons are very experienced with nasal surgery and utilize the latest in techniques and technologies.

Cleft nasal surgery is usually performed at age 4 to 5 years, prior to starting school. Because growth may not take place in a normal fashion, revisions of the nasal surgery may be required in the adolescent and teen years.

Children with cleft nasal deformity typically have difficulty nasal breathing due to the deviation of the nasal septum. This can be readily corrected at the time of the cleft nasal surgery.