Cleft lip and cleft palate repair (schisis)

Cleft lip and cleft palate repair surgically corrects abnormal development, restoring function to the lips and mouth and producing a more normal appearance.

Cleft lip and cleft palate are among the most common birth anomalies worldwide. The incomplete formation of the upper lip (cleft lip) or roof of the mouth (cleft palate) can occur individually, or both defects may occur together. The conditions can vary in severity and may involve one or both sides of the mouth. Surgery is required to repair cleft lip and/or cleft palate.

Cleft lip and palate abnormalities are congenital anomalies commonly treated by plastic surgeons, who repair the incomplete formation of the patient's upper lip or roof of the mouth. These conditions often impede the patient's regular function, specifically in the nose and mouth area, which can negatively affect an individual's ability to speak, eat, hear and even breathe properly. If left untreated, these conditions could undermine a patient's development and ability to function. In most cases, surgery is required to repair the anomaly.

Here is a list of some congenital anomalies. This list represents only a small fraction of the many possible diagnoses. Plastic surgeons restore the function and appearance of a wide range of congenital anomalies. If your child has a congenital condition that could benefit from reconstructive surgery, seek out a plastic surgeon specializing in this area and discuss the options with them. Every day, plastic surgeons perform life-saving treatments for individuals with congenital anomalies. They often collaborate with a team of specialists, including oral surgeons, orthodontists, pediatric dentists, and speech therapists, to assess and manage a patient's overall treatment and care. Sometimes, reconstructive surgery and supportive treatments are performed in stages over several years as the child grows.

  • Acrosyndactyly
  • Amelia
  • Anophthalmia
  • Brachydactyly
  • Central ray deficiency / Cleft hand
  • Cleft lip and palate
  • Congenital blepharophimosis
  • Congenital nasal pyriform aperture stenosis
  • Congenital proximal radioulnar synostosis
  • Congenital breast reconstruction
  • Constriction ring syndrome
  • Craniofacial microsomia
  • Craniosynostosis
  • Cryptotia
  • Duplicated thumbs
  • Ear deformations or malformations
  • Facial clefts
  • Hypospadias
  • Macrostomia
  • Maxillofacial dysplasia
  • Microphthalmia
  • Microtia
  • Möbius syndrome
  • Oligodactyly
  • Orbital dysplasia
  • Phocomelia
  • Poland syndrome
  • Polysyndactyly
  • Radial longitudinal deficiency / Radial club hand
  • Symphalangism
  • Syndactyly
  • Synostosis (same as craniosynostosis)
  • Tuberous breast deformity
  • Ulnar longitudinal deficiency

In Belgium, there are several specialized centers for the reconstruction of cleft lip and cleft palate:

Antwerp:

  • UZA

Bruges:

  • AZ Sint-Jan

Brussels:

Charleroi:

  • GHdC

Ghent:

Leuven:

Liège:

These centers bring together teams of specialized surgeons, orthodontists, speech therapists, and other specialists who collaborate to provide comprehensive care for patients with cleft lip and cleft palate.