Cleft Lip & Cleft Palate Treatment
Cleft lip and cleft palate are among the most common congenital facial conditions seen in newborns and children. At Paras Hospital, our reconstructive surgery team provides comprehensive, staged treatment to restore facial appearance, improve speech and feeding, and support normal growth and development.
What Is Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate?
Cleft Lip is a condition where the upper lip does not form completely, resulting in a visible gap that may occur on one side (unilateral) or both sides (bilateral).
Cleft Palate occurs when the roof of the mouth (palate) does not close fully during fetal development, creating an opening between the mouth and nasal cavity.
These conditions can occur individually or together and may affect:
- Facial appearance
- Feeding and swallowing
- Speech and hearing
- Dental development
Causes of Cleft Lip and Palate
Cleft conditions usually develop during early pregnancy due to incomplete fusion of facial structures.
Contributing factors may include:
- Genetic predisposition
- Nutritional deficiencies during pregnancy
- Environmental or medication exposure
- Multifactorial developmental influences
Why Early Treatment Is Important
Timely surgical correction plays a crucial role in:
- Allowing proper feeding and nutrition
- Enabling normal speech development
- Preventing recurrent ear infections
- Supporting healthy facial and dental growth
- Reducing long-term psychological and social impact
Our Reconstructive Surgery Approach
At Paras Hospital, cleft care is delivered through a multidisciplinary approach, involving reconstructive surgeons, pediatric specialists, speech therapists, orthodontists, and ENT experts.
Surgical Management Includes:
- Cleft Lip Repair
Usually performed within the first few months of life to restore lip continuity, symmetry, and muscle function.
- Cleft Palate Repair
Conducted at an appropriate age to close the palate, improve speech clarity, and reduce nasal regurgitation during feeding.
- Secondary Corrective Procedures
As the child grows, additional procedures may be required for speech refinement, nasal correction, or dental alignment.
Speech, Feeding & Long-Term Care
Surgery is only one part of successful cleft management. Our care pathway also includes:
- Feeding support and parental guidance
- Speech therapy for clear pronunciation
- Hearing evaluation and management
Orthodontic and dental care during growth years
Outcomes and Recovery
With timely intervention and expert reconstructive care:
- Facial appearance can be significantly improved
- Speech and feeding function develop normally
- Children can lead confident, healthy lives
Post-surgical recovery is closely monitored, and parents are guided at every stage of care.
Why Choose Paras Hospital for Cleft Surgery?
- Experienced reconstructive surgery team
- Child-focused, compassionate care
- Multidisciplinary treatment under one roof
- Modern surgical techniques with long-term follow-up
- Strong emphasis on functional and aesthetic outcomes