Cleft Lip

This is a congenital malformation that results in a physical alteration of the skin, mucosa, and muscle of the lip, with secondary deformation in the anatomy of the lower third of the nose. The intrauterine insult happens during the period of upper lip development which results in a partial to a full thickness cleft defect in the upper lip. The deformity will depend on the extent of the disturbance/disruption on the developing lip and may involve the area surrounding the lip such as nasal tip, alar lobule, collumela, and maxillary area. Cleft lip surgery restores the lip anatomy of individuals with inborn deformities, making them look as normal as possible. It could be done either as an out-patient or hospital procedure, under local or general anesthesia, depending on the age of the patient. Medical clearance for patients in the pediatric age group is usually required. There could be some lip swelling immediately after the operation, but it usually subsides after several weeks to months. Sutures are removed on the fourth to seventh day after the procedure.