Cleft lip and palate represent the most common congenital deformity of the oral and maxillofacial region, affecting approximately one in every 700 newborns. Beyond significantly compromising facial aesthetics, the communication between the oral and nasal cavities directly impedes development, frequently leading to upper respiratory infections and complications like otitis media.Children experience significant malnutrition due to difficulty breastfeeding, causing severe psychological trauma for both the child and parents.
For primary cleft lip repair, the optimal age for unilateral cleft surgery is generally 3 to 6 months, while bilateral cleft surgery is best performed between 6 and 12 months. There are no strict time constraints for secondary revision after primary cleft repair. Revision procedures are typically scheduled in several phases: before school enrollment, around puberty, and finally in adulthood.To minimize psychological burden, earlier revision is preferable. However, due to various factors, many opt for adult revision. For adult patients, the timing can be determined based on individual circumstances.
Adult cleft lip repair primarily addresses varying degrees of lip-nose deformities resulting from initial surgery. Common issues include an overly short or wide upper lip, asymmetry in the vermilion border, excessive tightness or length in the upper lip, noticeable nasal collapse, and inadequate repair of the orbicularis oris muscle. Patients may schedule an in-person consultation at the hospital to determine the appropriate surgical plan based on their specific lip condition.
Prior to surgery, patients must engage in thorough preoperative discussions with their surgeon to understand the scope of the procedure, its steps, expected discomfort, recovery timeline, potential outcomes, and associated risks.