SEQUENCE OF CLEFT LIP AND PALATE PATIENTS

SEQUENCE OF TREATMENT 

Only Unilateral Cleft lip complete / incomplete
Closure of lip	4-6 months
Rhinoplasty (if required)	18 years

Bilateral cleft lip complete / incomplete
Closure of lip	4-6 months
Columella elongation, Forked flap of Millard if needed	6 years
Rhinoplasty (if needed)	18 years

Unilateral Cleft lip and alveola
Closure of lip + periosteoplasty	4-6 months
Orthodontic treatment	10-12 years
Alveolar bone graft	6-8 years
Orthognathic surgery (if needed)	18 years
Rhinoplasty (if needed)	18 years or > 6 months after Orthognathic surgery

Bilateral cleft lip and alveolus
Closure of lip	4-6 months
Columella elongation, Forked flap of Millard (if needed)	6 years
Alveolar Bone Grafting	6-8 years
Orthodontic treatment	10-12  years
Orthognathic surgery (if needed)	18 years
Rhinoplasty (if needed)	18 years or > 6 months after Orthognathic surgery

Cleft palate only complete/ incomplete
Closure of cleft Speech Therapy	10-12 months 3 years

Unilateral cleft lip, palate and Alveolus
Closure of lip + periosteoplasty	4-6 months
Closure of cleft palate + intravelar veloplasty	10-12 months
Speech therapy	3 years
Orthodontic treatment	10-12 years
Alveolar bone graft	6-8 years
Orthognathic surgery (if needed)	18 years
Rhinoplasty (if needed)	18 years or > 6 months after Orthognathic surgery

Bilateral cleft lip, palate and alveolus
Closure of lip + periosteoplasty	4-6 months
Closure of clef palate + intravelar veloplasty	10-12 months
Speech therapy	3 years
Columella elongation, Forked flap of Millard (if needed)	6 years
Orthodontic treatment	10-12 years
Alveolar bone graft	6-8 years
Orthognathic surgery (if needed)	18 years
Rhinoplasty (if needed)	18 years or > 6 months after Orthognathic surgery

CAUSES OF CELFT LIP AND PALATE

DRINKING, SMOKING, RADIATION EXPOSURE, MEDICATIONS/ VITAMIN DEFICIENCY  DURING PREGNANCY, ADD TO IT GENETIC FACTORS ARE MAJOR CAUSE OF CLEFT LIP AND PALATE 

INCREDIBLE HOW FAST CHILDREN HEAL

Cleft lip repair done at an early age, with approximation of all anatomical points of the lip will lead to an aesthetically pleasing scar post surgery. The average time for a scar to mature is 9 to 12 months but a fairly good result is seen in this picture in 4 months, this scar will mature further and will keep on becoming lighter over the next few months. It is recommended that gentle finger massage of the scar  will help it become lighter.