Cleft Lip (Cleft)
A cleft lip "rabbit" is a cleft in the upper lip, palate, or both. The cleft lip appears when the fetus's mouth is not completely closed, and it is called the rabbit lip because it resembles a rabbit's lip. Of course, having a child with these defects is distressing for parents and the entire family. But the good news is that cleft lip can now be corrected in a very large number of children. The success rate is very high, and a series of surgical procedures can restore the proper and natural appearance of the face.
What is a cleft lip?
The cleft lip is one of the most common congenital defects and is also associated with many inherited syndromes or genetic disorders. Cleft lip (cleft) is a deformity that occurs at birth. It manifests itself in the failure of the upper lip to close with the lower lip in the child. It can appear in various forms, from a small cleft in the lip to a complete separation reaching the base of the nose opening. The cleft may be unilateral, on one side of the lip, or bilateral.
Treatment of Cleft Lip
The treatment of cleft lip is long and complicated, usually carried out in specialized centers, where oral and maxillofacial surgeons, orthodontists, ear, nose, and throat specialists, and speech therapists work together to develop a suitable treatment plan for each patient. Many children will also need additional surgical procedures as they grow older. Surgical repair can improve the child's facial appearance, as well as improve breathing, hearing, speech, and language development.
- Surgery: Surgery to correct cleft lip is usually performed in the first few months of life.
- Orthodontics: Orthodontic treatment can begin early, shortly after birth, by placing a palatal plate to approximate the sides of the cleft.
- Speech Therapy: Children born with cleft lip and palate often have speech problems and require speech therapy.
- Psychological Therapy: Some children may suffer from self-esteem problems, and parental support can be helpful for them.
