Contents
- Endoscopic Facelift Cost: Comparing Azerbaijan, the US, and Europe
- Endoscopic Brow Lift: Complete Guide
- Why Natural-Looking Facelifts Are Becoming the New Standard in 2026
- Endoscopic Deep Plane Facelift & Advanced Facial Rejuvenation
- Modern Plastic Surgery
- Forehead Lift: Youthful Look with Minimal Scarring
- Waist Slimming Surgery Without Rib Removal In Baku
- Scars After a Deep Plane Facelift, Why They Heal So Well
- Facelift Alternatives – Morpheus8 & Non-Invasive Treatments
Cleft Lip and Its Surgical Treatment
Cleft lip surgery
Cleft lip and palate are among the most common congenital anomalies in children worldwide. The upper lip may have a cleft, or the palate may have a cleft.
Both defects may occur together. The severity varies and affects one or both sides of the mouth. Surgical intervention is necessary to repair cleft lip or palate.
The diagnosis is made during pregnancy through ultrasound or after birth. Cleft lip treatment aims to correct speech defects, tooth position, facial structure, and hearing problems.
The treatment process includes planned examinations. There are various stages from infancy to adulthood. When necessary, specialized treatment can be provided to adults.
Causes of Cleft Lip
The cleft occurs very early in the developing child. During fetal development, some upper lip and palate components do not grow normally.
In some cases, a syndrome may cause the cleft. In most affected children, the cause remains unknown. The cleft results from complex genetic and environmental factors.
Cleft lip and palate repair are surgical procedures. They correct abnormal development. They restore lip and mouth function.
They create more normal appearance. Most clefts can be corrected with specialized plastic surgery methods. These methods help improve eating, speaking, hearing, and breathing.
The timing of repair depends on your child's individual situation. Cleft lip repair is usually performed when children are 2 to 6 months old.
Cleft palate repair is usually performed in a separate surgery. This happens after lip repair, when the child is 9 to 18 months old.
Cleft lip or palate repair may be delayed to treat life-threatening problems. These include heart and lung disease.
Depending on cleft severity, interventions may be recommended. These include straps for the lip and orthodontic molding. Staged surgical methods may also be advised.
Over time, other cleft-related procedures may be needed. These include tubes for fluid drainage. Bone grafting for palate repair is also common.
Jaw surgery or dental work to improve the bite may be required.
How Is the Surgery Performed?
Anesthesia is applied during surgical procedures in many cases. Intravenous sedation and general anesthesia are both options.
The surgeon chooses what is appropriate for the patient.
The goal of cleft lip surgery is to close the split in the lip. It ensures normal function, structure, and appearance of the upper lip.
Cuts are made on each side of the cleft. These create skin, muscle, and oral tissue pieces. They are then stitched together to cover the cleft.
This creates typical lip and nose anatomy.
Cleft palate repair requires careful repositioning of tissue and muscle. The cleft can be closed and the mouth roof restored.
Cuts are made from both sides. Specialized tissue techniques are used to reposition the tissues. This involves changing the soft palate position used in speech.
The suture is applied along the midline. It provides adequate palate length. This ensures normal feeding and speech development.
Uninterrupted growth is supported.
Rehabilitation (Recovery) Period
Sometimes doctors recommend staying away from nursing bottles for a few days. Usually, gloves are used after surgery.
They help prevent the child from touching the surgical site. The site heals over time with proper care.
Depending on the technique used, sutures from the lip may need removal. Healing extends over several weeks until swelling subsides.
Scars on the lip heal and disappear. After surgery, sun protection is essential. This prevents improper scarring.
I am a plastic surgeon, Mubariz Mammadli. I perform cleft lip surgery professionally throughout Baku and Azerbaijan. I also provide other plastic-aesthetic and reconstructive surgeries.