How Much To Repair Cleft Lip

The cost of cleft lip surgery can vary depending on the location and the specific medical facility. In general, the price for this procedure typically falls within the range of Rs. 1,80,000 to Rs. 3,00,000. It is important for patients to research and compare prices at different hospitals or clinics to ensure they are receiving the best value for their money. Additionally, some facilities may offer financial assistance or payment plans to help make the treatment more affordable for those in need. Ultimately, the cost of cleft lip surgery should not deter individuals from seeking the necessary medical care to improve their quality of life.

Having a baby born with a cleft can be upsetting, but cleft lip and cleft palate can be corrected. In most babies, a series of surgeries can restore normal function and achieve a more normal appearance with minimal scarring.

Lip repair surgery is usually done when your baby is around 3 months old. Your baby will be given a general anaesthetic (where they’re unconscious) and the cleft lip will be repaired and closed with stitches. The operation usually takes 1 to 2 hours. Most babies are in hospital for 1 to 2 days.

How Much To Repair Cleft Lip

Cleft lip is a condition where a child is born with a split in their upper lip, which may extend all the way to the base of the nose. Even though the condition does not cause any physical problems or issues, it hampers the overall appearance of a person. This is why people opt for treatment of the condition.

The condition is not that uncommon and several newborn children suffer from a cleft lip. The cause of the condition is unknown, but doctors hypothesize that the disorder takes place when not enough tissue material is present to fill out the gap in the upper lip, while the child is still inside the womb of the mother. Another possible cause may be the medication that the mother is on during the pregnancy. Some of these drugs may lead to cleft lip after the child is born.

Children suffering from a cleft lip may face difficulty while eating or drinking, which can lead to complications. The condition may often causer hearing issues as well, along with dental problems. Finally, since the upper lip is not fully formed for such individuals, people with a cleft lip may suffer from speech disorders a s well.

Cleft Palate Surgery Age

A cleft lip surgery is the primary process through which treatment for the condition can be sought. Usually, a team of doctors will need to be consulted regarding the treatment. For instance, a plastic surgeon, oral surgeon, an otolaryngologist and a dentist are some of the major doctors that need to associated with the treatment for the condition.

Usually, a single surgery is conducted for repair the issue on the upper lip. However, more surgical procedures may be required if the cleft lip is quite significant. In case of two surgeries, the first will be performed when the baby is at least 3 months old. The child is put under general anaesthesia, but doctors go the extra mile and use local anaesthesia at the region of surgery as well. This is done to increase the numbness from the general anaesthesia.

While this surgery can be performed at any point of time, for the best results doctors prefer performing it between the ages of 3 and 6 months.

Who is eligible for the treatment? (When is the treatment done?)

Children who are born with a cleft lip are eligible for the surgery. The level of and depth of the cleft also determine whether treatment is crucial. Many people with mild cleft choose to remain without undergoing the surgery throughout their lives, however the treatment is vital in case of severe cleft formations.

Who is not eligible for the treatment?

People who suffer from other conditions that may disfigure the face, should not seek the surgery for cleft repair. If the damage is caused to the palette, there are separate treatment procedures for it and patients should not undergo cleft lip repair.

Are there any side effects?

Although there are no substantial side effect of the surgery, there is always a risk of facing unforeseen issues after the operation has been completed. For instance, patients may experience the stitch coming off or excess bleeding from the spot. Other side effects from the surgery may include, breathing problems, infection of the sight and difficulty in drinking liquid items.

What are the post-treatment guidelines?

Once the surgery has been completed, parents must maintain proper nutrition of the child. Doctors claim that breast milk during the recuperation helps the child heal from the after effects of the procedure. Furthermore, care must be taken of the sutures put in place on the upper lip region. This care generally involves using a cotton swab and diluted hydrogen peroxide to wash the stitches. Aside from this, application of topical antibiotic lotion on the spot of surgery is also recommended.

How long does it take to recover?

If the surgery succeeds, recovery may not take long. However, if a single surgery is unable to rectify the condition, a second surgery may be needed at a later point of time. At any rate, recovery does not take long, even though the scarring may remain for a long time after the surgery. In some cases, the scar may remain for the rest of life.

What is the price of the treatment in India?

Price for the treatment may differ from one place to the other. However, the cleft lip surgery usually takes anywhere between Rs. 1,80,000 and Rs. 3,00,000. If a second surgery is required for complete removal of the cleft lip.

Are the results of the treatment permanent?

After undergoing surgery to correct a split in the upper lip, the results of the treatment are permanent. The procedure effectively rectifies the split, allowing for a seamless and natural appearance. Patients can expect long-lasting results, as the surgery addresses the underlying issue causing the split in the first place. With proper care and follow-up appointments, individuals can enjoy the benefits of a repaired upper lip for years to come. The permanent nature of the treatment provides patients with peace of mind and confidence in their appearance.

Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate

Overview

Cleft lipEnlarge imageCleft palateEnlarge image

Cleft lip and cleft palate are openings or splits in the upper lip, the roof of the mouth (palate) or both. Cleft lip and cleft palate result when facial structures that are developing in an unborn baby don’t close completely.

Cleft lip and cleft palate are among the most common birth defects. They most commonly occur as isolated birth defects but are also associated with many inherited genetic conditions or syndromes.

Having a baby born with a cleft can be upsetting, but cleft lip and cleft palate can be corrected. In most babies, a series of surgeries can restore normal function and achieve a more normal appearance with minimal scarring.

Symptoms

Usually, a split (cleft) in the lip or palate is immediately identifiable at birth. Cleft lip and cleft palate may appear as:

• A split in the lip and roof of the mouth (palate) that affects one or both sides of the face
• A split in the lip that appears as only a small notch in the lip or extends from the lip through the upper gum and palate into the bottom of the nose
• A split in the roof of the mouth that doesn’t affect the appearance of the face

Less commonly, a cleft occurs only in the muscles of the soft palate (submucous cleft palate), which are at the back of the mouth and covered by the mouth’s lining. This type of cleft often goes unnoticed at birth and may not be diagnosed until later when signs develop. Signs and symptoms of submucous cleft palate may include:

• Difficulty with feedings
• Difficulty swallowing, with potential for liquids or foods to come out the nose
• Nasal speaking voice
• Chronic ear infections

When to see a doctor

A cleft lip and cleft palate are usually noticed at birth, and your doctor may start coordinating care at that time. If your baby has signs and symptoms of a submucous cleft palate, make an appointment with your child’s doctor.

Causes

Cleft lip and cleft palate occur when tissues in the baby’s face and mouth don’t fuse properly. Normally, the tissues that make up the lip and palate fuse together in the second and third months of pregnancy. But in babies with cleft lip and cleft palate, the fusion never takes place or occurs only part way, leaving an opening (cleft).

Researchers think that genetic and environmental factors interact to cause the majority of cases of cleft lip and cleft palate. In many babies, a definite cause isn’t discovered.

The mother or the father can pass on genes that cause clefting, either alone or as part of a genetic syndrome that includes a cleft lip or cleft palate as one of its signs. In some cases, babies inherit a gene that makes them more likely to develop a cleft, and then an environmental trigger actually causes the cleft to occur.

Risk factors

Several factors may increase the likelihood of a baby developing a cleft lip and cleft palate, including:

• Family history. Parents with a family history of cleft lip or cleft palate face a higher risk of having a baby with a cleft.
• Exposure to certain substances during pregnancy. Cleft lip and cleft palate may be more likely to occur in pregnant women who smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol or take certain medications.
• Having diabetes. There is some evidence that women diagnosed with diabetes before pregnancy may have an increased risk of having a baby with a cleft lip with or without a cleft palate.
• Being obese during pregnancy. There is some evidence that babies born to obese women may have increased risk of cleft lip and palate.

Males are more likely to have a cleft lip with or without cleft palate. Cleft palate without cleft lip is more common in females. In the United States, cleft lip and palate are reportedly most common in Native Americans and least common in African-Americans.

Complications

Children with cleft lip with or without cleft palate face a variety of challenges, depending on the type and severity of the cleft.

• Difficulty feeding. One of the most immediate concerns after birth is feeding. While most babies with cleft lip can breast-feed, a cleft palate may make sucking difficult.
• Ear infections and hearing loss. Babies with cleft palate are especially at risk of developing middle ear fluid and hearing loss.
• Dental problems. If the cleft extends through the upper gum, tooth development may be affected.
• Speech difficulties. A cleft palate can interfere with the development of typical speech because the palate is involved in sound formation. Speech may sound too nasal.
• Challenges of coping with a medical condition. Children with clefts may face social, emotional and behavioral problems due to differences in appearance and the stress of intensive medical care.

Prevention

After a baby is born with a cleft, parents are understandably concerned about the possibility of having another child with the same condition. While many cases of cleft lip and cleft palate can’t be prevented, consider these steps to increase your understanding or lower your risk:

• Consider genetic counseling. If you have a family history of cleft lip and cleft palate, tell your doctor before you become pregnant. Your doctor may refer you to a genetic counselor who can help determine your risk of having children with cleft lip and cleft palate.
• Take prenatal vitamins. If you’re planning to get pregnant soon, ask your doctor if you should take prenatal vitamins.
• Don’t use tobacco or alcohol. Use of alcohol or tobacco during pregnancy increases the risk of having a baby with a birth defect.

Cleft Lip Surgery Before and After

Cleft Lip and Palate

Children with a cleft lip or palate will need several treatments and assessments as they grow up.

A cleft is usually treated with surgery. Other treatments, such as speech therapy and dental care, may also be needed.

An NHS cleft center will provide care for your child by a specialized cleft team.

Your child’s care plan

Children with clefts will have a care plan tailored to meet their individual needs. A typical care plan timetable for cleft lip and palate is:

• birth to 6 weeks: feeding assistance, support for parents, hearing tests and paediatric assessment
• 3 to 6 months: surgery to repair a cleft lip
• 6 to 12 months – surgery to repair a cleft palate
• 18 months – speech assessment
• 3 years – speech assessment
• 5 years – speech assessment
• 8 to 12 years – bone graft to repair a cleft in the gum area
• 12 to 15 years – orthodontic treatment and monitoring jaw growth

Your child will also need to attend regular outpatient appointments at a cleft centre so their condition can be monitored closely and any problems can be dealt with.

These will usually be recommended until they’re around 21 years of age, when they’re likely to have stopped growing.

Surgery

Lip repair surgery

Lip repair surgery is usually done when your baby is around 3 months old.

Your baby will be given a general anaesthetic (where they’re unconscious) and the cleft lip will be repaired and closed with stitches.

The operation usually takes 1 to 2 hours.

Most babies are in hospital for 1 to 2 days. Arrangements may be made for you to stay with them during this time.

The stitches will be removed after a few days, or may dissolve on their own.

Your child will have a slight scar, but the surgeon will try to line up the scar with the natural lines of the lip, to make it less noticeable. It should fade and become less obvious over time.

Palate repair surgery

Palate repair surgery is usually done when your baby is 6 to 12 months old.

The gap in the roof of the mouth is closed and the muscles and the lining of the palate are rearranged. The wound is closed with dissolvable stitches.

The operation usually takes about 2 hours and is done using a general anaesthetic. Most children are in hospital for 1 to 3 days, and again arrangements may be made for you to stay with them.

The scar from palate repair will be inside the mouth.

Additional surgery

In some cases, additional surgery may be needed at a later stage to:

• repair a cleft in the gum using a piece of bone (a bone graft) – usually done at around 8 to 12 years of age
• improve the appearance and function of the lips and palate – this may be necessary if the original surgery did not heal well or there are ongoing speech problems
• improve the shape of the nose (rhinoplasty)
• improve the appearance of the jaw – some children born with a cleft lip or palate may have a small or “set-back” lower jaw

Feeding help and advice

Many babies with a cleft palate have problems breastfeeding because of the gap in the roof of their mouth.

They may struggle to form a seal with their mouth – so they may take in a lot of air and milk may come out of their nose. They may also struggle to put on weight during their first few months.

A specialist cleft nurse can advise on positioning, alternative feeding methods and weaning if necessary.

If breastfeeding is not possible, they may suggest expressing your breast milk into a flexible bottle that is designed for babies with a cleft palate.

Very occasionally, it may be necessary for your baby to be fed through a tube placed into their nose until surgery is carried out.

Treating hearing problems

Children with a cleft palate are more likely to develop a condition called glue ear, where fluid builds up in the ear and may reduce hearing.

Your child will have regular hearing tests to check for any issues.

Hearing problems may improve after cleft palate repair and, if necessary, can be treated by inserting tiny plastic tubes called grommets into the eardrums. These allow the fluid to drain from the ear.

Sometimes, hearing aids may be recommended.

Dental care

If a cleft involves the gum area, it’s common for teeth on either side of the cleft to be tilted or out of position. Often a tooth may be missing, or there may be an extra tooth.

A paediatric dentist will monitor the health of your child’s teeth and recommend treatment when necessary. It’s also important that you register your child with a family dentist.

Orthodontic treatment, which helps improve the alignment and appearance of teeth, may also be required. This can include braces or other dental appliances to help straighten the teeth.

Brace treatment usually starts after all the baby teeth have been lost, but may be necessary before a bone graft to repair the cleft in the gum.

Children with a cleft are more vulnerable to tooth decay, so it’s important to encourage them to practise good oral hygiene and to visit their dentist regularly.

Speech and Language Therapy

Repairing a cleft palate will significantly reduce the chance of speech problems, but in some cases, children with a repaired cleft palate still need speech therapy.

A speech and language therapist (SLT) will assess your child’s speech several times as they get older.

If there are any problems, they may recommend further assessment of how the palate is working and/or work with you to help your child develop clear speech. They may refer you to community SLT services near your home.

The SLT will continue to monitor your child’s speech until they are fully grown and they will work with your child for as long as they need assistance.

Further corrective surgery may sometimes be required for a small number of children who have increased airflow through their nose when they’re speaking, resulting in nasal-sounding speech.

Specialist UK cleft lip and palate centres

England

• Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
• Leeds General Infirmary
• Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital
• Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Liverpool
• Nottingham City Hospital
• Birmingham Children’s Hospital
• Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge
• Great Ormond Street Hospital, London
• Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford
• John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford
• Salisbury District Hospital
• Bristol Dental Hospital
• Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital, London

Wales

• Morriston Hospital, Swansea

Scotland

• Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Glasgow

Northern Ireland

• Children’s Hospital, Belfast