Cleft Lip and Palate

Cleft lip and cleft palate are birth defects of the lips and the roof of the mouth. Aside from the disfigurement they cause, these birth defects may also interfere with a child's speech, normal eating and breast feeding.

Surgical repair of cleft lip and palate is usually performed on young children to restore function and a normal appearance to the face. In Coral Springs, Dr. Levens can perform this corrective surgery for children who are affected by one or both birth defects.

Candidates for Cleft Lip and Palate Surgery

Left untreated, cleft lip or cleft palate can make a person vulnerable to colds, cavities and ear infections. It can also seriously disrupt normal speech development. Therefore, any person with cleft lip and palate should be considered for corrective surgery. Candidates for cleft lip and palate repair surgery are usually at least 9 months old, although it has been performed as early as 6 weeks.

What Happens During Cleft Lip and Palate Repair?

Cleft lip and palate repair is typically performed in a hospital with a general anesthetic. In most cases, only one operation is required to correct the problem. Patients usually spend the first night in the hospital, but may be discharged on the day of surgery.

During surgery, the Dr. Levens repairs the soft palate musculature by repositioning the abnormally oriented tissues. Surgical incisions for cleft palate repair are placed inside the mouth, so they remain unseen. To repair a cleft lip, the doctor makes incisions on either side of the cleft. The dark pink tissue is turned down and the tissues are pulled together to close the separation.

The doctor and staff work hard to ensure the child's comfort throughout the whole experience. Antibiotics and pain medications are administered as necessary. Dr. Levens also takes extra care to minimize scarring. A child with cleft lip may choose to undergo scar improvement procedures later in life, to further minimize the residual signs of the defect.

After Cleft Lip and Palate Repair

The healing process usually takes about one month. Dr. Levens will prescribe safe pain medications and an antibiotic. You will be given detailed instructions about what to expect during the post-operative period, including steps on washing, feeding and monitoring the child's progress.

Learn More About Cleft Lip and Palate Repair in South Florida

To learn more about reconstructive surgery for cleft lip or cleft palate, please contact the office of Coral Springs plastic surgeon David J. Levens. Our plastic surgery practice is conveniently located in South Florida, just 20 minutes from Boca Raton and Ft. Lauderdale, and 40 minutes from Miami. View the map to our Coral Springs plastic surgery practice or contact us by email.