Cleft Lip and Palate Repair

Compassionate, Expert Care for Your Child

Receiving a diagnosis of a cleft lip and/or palate for your child can be an emotional and overwhelming experience for any parent. We want to reassure you that these are common congenital conditions, and a clear, effective surgical pathway exists to correct them. Our dedicated pediatric reconstructive surgery team in Antalya is here to provide compassionate, world-class care, guiding you and your child through every step of the journey to restore full function and a natural appearance.

A Compassionate, Multi-Stage Approach to Repair

The goal of cleft surgery is to close the separation in the lip and/or palate, creating a foundation for healthy development. This is not just a single event but a carefully timed journey of care. The primary objectives are:

• To Close the Gap: The surgery meticulously repairs the tissues of the lip and palate.

• To Restore Normal Function: A repaired palate is crucial for enabling normal feeding, clear speech development, and proper hearing.

• To Improve Appearance: The repair is performed with the utmost aesthetic consideration to create a natural smile and facial balance for your child.

Surgery is often performed in stages, timed to coincide with your child's key developmental milestones for the best possible outcome.

The Life-Changing Benefits for Your Child

• Normalised Feeding: The initial repair allows your child to eat, drink, and thrive without difficulty.

• Improved Speech and Hearing: Correcting the palate is essential for clear speech and can help prevent the ear infections common with this condition.

• Restored Facial Balance: Our surgeons are dedicated to creating a natural, balanced facial appearance and a beautiful smile.

• Enhanced Quality of Life: The ultimate goal is to provide your child with the best possible start, free from the functional and social challenges of an uncorrected cleft.

Your Questions Answered: The Surgical Timeline

• When is surgery performed? The surgical plan is timed for optimal development. Typically, cleft lip repair is performed at 3 to 6 months of age, and cleft palate repair is performed at 9 to 18 months of age.

• Is more than one surgery needed? Yes, in most cases, a series of staged procedures is required. As your child grows, further surgeries may be needed to refine the appearance of the lip and nose or to assist with dental alignment.

• Will my child's speech recover fully? The surgery creates the physical foundation for clear speech. With the support of post-operative speech and language therapy, the vast majority of children achieve completely normal speech.

• What is the long-term outlook? The surgical repairs are permanent and will provide your child with a lifetime of benefits, allowing them to lead a full, healthy, and confident life.

Disclaimer: The information provided on this website is for general educational purposes and is not medical advice or a diagnosis. A personal consultation with a qualified pediatric healthcare provider in our Antalya clinic is essential to determine the best care plan for your child.