Things to know about cleft lip and cleft palate pediatric surgery
- Posted on: Dec 15 2019
Orofacial clefts are a common birth defect that occurs in thousands of babies born each year. The most common orofacial clefts are cleft lip and cleft palate. When a baby is born with an opening to the lip or the upper roof of the mouth, they will receive a proper diagnosis from their physician. A physical evaluation is the best way to determine if this condition is present.
What causes orofacial clefts?
Research continues to determine the exact cause of this birth deformity. While studies have been unable to pinpoint the exact cause of cleft lip and cleft palate, there has been research done that indicates certain risk factors. A child is more likely to have an orofacial cleft concern if their birth mother is taking certain pharmaceutical medications, smokes cigarettes, or has diabetes prior to their pregnancy.
How is an orofacial cleft diagnosed?
While women are pregnant, a routine ultrasound can often find orofacial clefts prior to birth. When the child is born, the condition is visible and can be diagnosed with a simple evaluation. Some patients have an isolated cleft issue, while others may have both the cleft lip and palate that needs to be repaired.
Treatment for orofacial cleft
The best treatment for cleft lip and cleft palate is reconstructive surgery. Dr. Matthew J. Trovato of Dallas, TX is pleased to offer reconstructive procedures for children who are born with orofacial clefts. He recommends reconstructive surgery by the time the child is one. Not only will the procedure improve the child’s overall appearance, but it can help in reducing the risk of problems later with breathing, hearing, or speech. The surgical procedure is done as an outpatient treatment while the child is under general anesthesia. The healing process is relatively simple, and babies are able to adjust to their new lip and palate quickly as they recover from surgery.
Request a visit with Dr. Matthew J. Trovato
If you are considering orofacial cleft treatment with a reconstructive plastic surgeon in the area of Dallas, TX, call the office at (214) 827-2873 to schedule consultation visit with Dr. Matthew J. Trovato and his team.
