DR. LUCY BARR | Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon

Cleft Lip

A cleft lip is caused in the gestation period of an infant’s development resulting from a congenital deformity. Many infants that are born with a cleft lip are also born with a cleft palate. This is a fairly common disorder, affecting 1 out of every 700 children in the world.

A cleft lip can be caused by other disorders. Infants with cleft lips should be tested for these disorders that include Stickler’s syndrome, Treacher Collin’s Syndrome and other craniofacial syndromes before a surgical treatment is attempted. A surgeon will need to have all information available about a child or adult’s health background.

It is recommended that children correct the cleft lip as early as possible. This will reduce the chance for scarring in the area. It will also reduce any chances that a child could develop psychosocial issues influenced by stigmatization of their appearance in their youth.

A surgeon can recommend a specific procedure depending on the severity of the malformation. The surgery will oftentimes involve working with muscle tissue and craniofacial areas. A surgeon with prior experience working with children and adults with cleft lips and cleft palates should be found to complete the surgery and treatment.