A cleft lip or cleft palate is a serious condition that can be devastating to a family. However, these flaws may be addressed through surgery. Through cleft lip and palate surgery at Dr. Anjali's Cosmetic & Plastic Surgery Clinic, Visakhapatnam you can improve your child’s appearance, function, and overall quality of life.
Cleft lip and cleft palate are birth defects in which no tissues are available to join the lip and mouth regions together. This clefting is a physical split or division that happens in the lip, the mouth’s roof, or both when the fetus is still developing inside the womb.
The cleft lip and cleft palate may appear on one or both sides of the mouth as these regions develop independently. Although cleft lip and cleft palate are considered birth abnormalities, they can be linked to hereditary conditions or syndromes.
Dr. Anjali of Dr. Anjali ’s Cosmetic & Plastic Surgery Clinic in Visakhapatnam is an expert in cleft lip and palate surgery. She has successfully operated on many patients to restore the normal appearance and function of the mouth.
Cleft lip and palate surgery are most commonly performed on infants and young children.
Depending on your child’s health status, a cleft lip repair may be done between 2 and 6 months of age. The cleft palate treatment is generally done after the cleft lip repair in a separate surgery between 9 and 18 months of age, depending on the child’s individual case.
Your child will also need to visit the clinic on a regular basis so that the situation can be closely observed and any issues addressed. These will typically continue until your child reaches the age of 21 years.
Book AppointmentDuring the consultation, Dr. Anjali will evaluate the child’s cleft lip and palate to determine the best course of treatment. She will also assess your child’s overall health and development to ensure that it is safe for him/her to undergo surgery.
After the evaluation, Dr. Anjali will explain the proposed surgical procedure in detail and answer any questions that you or your child may have.
When parents receive a diagnosis of cleft lip and/or cleft palate for their child, it can be a difficult and emotional time. Read Preeti Bogi’s experience of finding the right surgeon for her niece, who was born with a cleft lip.
Read MoreCleft lip and palate surgery are done under general anesthesia. This means your child will be asleep during the surgery.
For cleft lip surgery, Dr. Anjali will make incisions (cuts) in the tissue of the lip. The result will be flaps of tissue that are stitched together along with lip muscles to provide a normal structure and appearance.
The cleft palate repair procedure is similar to that of a cleft lip repair. However, in this technique, the tissue from the roof of the mouth may be transferred to cover the soft palate.
After the surgery, your child will be taken to the recovery room and will be closely monitored. Most children stay in the hospital for 1 to 2 days after cleft lip surgery and 1 to 3 days after cleft palate surgery.
Your child’s mouth will look and feel different after surgery. They may have some swelling and bruising around the lip area. This is normal and will go away after a few weeks.
Your child may also have some pain and discomfort after the surgery. Dr. Anjali will prescribe medication to help manage this.
It is important to follow all of Dr. Anjali ’s instructions during your child’s recovery period. This will help ensure a successful outcome and speedy recovery.
Cleft lip and palate surgery can improve the function and appearance of the mouth, as well as the child’s overall quality of life.
The surgery can help the child to eat, speak, and hear more effectively.
Cleft lip and palate surgery can also boost the child’s self-esteem and confidence, as they will no longer have to deal with the negative stares and comments from others.
The cost of cleft lip and palate surgery will vary depending on the severity of the case and the type of procedure required. During the consultation, Dr. Anjali will be able to give you a more accurate estimate of the cost.
Book AppointmentCleft lip and palate surgery are generally safe. However, as with any surgery, there are some risks involved. Some of the most common complications include bleeding, infection, poor healing, scar widening or elevation, and damage to nerves, blood vessels, or other structures.
Please note these risks are uncommon, and Dr. Anjali will take every precaution to avoid them.
This is a success story of a child who came to us with bilateral cleft of the lip and palate from a nearby town.
The Problem: The child was diagnosed with bilateral cleft of the lip and palate in utero.
The Attempt: A doctor advised the parents of the child to terminate the pregnancy.
The Solution: Cleft lip and palate surgery performed by Dr. Anjali Saple.
The Result: The child now has a beautiful smile. The parents are filled with pride and joy.
The Story: The condition was diagnosed in utero and some doctor advised the parents of the child to terminate the pregnancy. However, the families of both parents were very supportive and they decided to go ahead with the pregnancy.
The child was operated on for a cleft of lip at 3 months of age.
This is the picture shared by the happy parents where the child is participating in a cultural event in Navratri!! The parents are beaming with pride and joy seeing the transformation in their child.
Dr. Anjali Saple is a skilled and experienced plastic and cosmetic surgeon in Visakhapatnam, India. She has a keen eye for aesthetics and is a perfectionist to the core. Dr. Anjali Saple completed her M.B.B.S, M.S. General Surgery and DNB Plastic Surgery from the prestigious Lokmanya Tilak Hospital, Mumbai.<br> She then took special training in Cosmetic Surgery at Mercy Hospital, Buffalo, USA, and at Santa Casa Hospital, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She has been practicing as a Consultant Cosmetic and Plastic Surgeon in Visakhapatnam for the last 22 years. She regularly upgrades her skills to impart the best possible care to her patients and her 25 years of experience have made her one of the most sought-after surgeons in Visakhapatnam, India.