Cleft lip / Cleft palate During embryological development on both sides of the lips and palate normally grow up to join each other in the midline forming the upper lip and roof of the mouth or palate. It is estimated that one in every 1,000 children born with defects in cleft lip or palate due to the lack of binding of these during intrauterine development. If you or your child was born with any of these defects (cleft lip or cleft palate), you will need to undergo several surgeries to repair them.

The treatment of cleft lip and palate is not for only the plastic surgeon. A team of doctors, dentists and therapists must work together to solve the problems that this condition covers.

When surgery is an experienced plastic surgeon realizadapor and duly recorded the results are satisfactory.

The cleft lip can range in severity from a simple notch at the red lip, to complete separation of the upper lip extending into the nose. The cleft lip may be unilateral or bilateral, ie they can affect one or both sides of the upper lip.

In surgery of the lip or chieloplasty will be an incision on each side of the cleft from the mouth to the nostril. Separate the skin of the lip and join the muscle of the lips in the midline to the skin and then sutured closed and the existing separation. This will restore the muscle function of the upper lip and shape of the cupid's bow. The nasal deformity probably will merit a second intervention.

Scars may remain red for several weeks, but will gradually improve, although never disappear completely.

The cleft palate puedenser partial or bilateral or unilateral.

The surgeon will make an incision in the palate on each side of the slot and tissues dissected to take them to the midline of the roof of the mouth. This function is restored and palatal musculature is achieved closure of the cleft palate giving sufficient length.

During one to two days may experience some pain or discomfort, which are well controlled with medications prescribed by your doctor.

After surgery, cleft lip and palate should continue to be controlled and treated by the other members of the multidisciplinary team to achieve the overall success of treatment.