Ghatkopar (East), Mumbai)
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Cleft Lip & Palate
A cleft lip or palate is one of the most common birth differences in the world and one of the most successfully treated. With the right surgical team and the right timing, children with cleft lip and palate go on to speak, smile, and thrive with outcomes that are truly transformative.
At Shree Hospitals, our multidisciplinary cleft team delivers expert cleft lip and palate surgery in Mumbai, combining surgical precision with comprehensive speech, dental, and psychological support because a cleft is never just about the lip.
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Our Approach
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Our Approach in Managing Cleft Lip & Palate
One team. One plan. A lifetime of support.
Cleft care isn't a single operation ; it's a journey from birth to adulthood. Our cleft team includes plastic surgeons, orthodontists, speech-language pathologists, ENT surgeons, and psychologists who work together under one roof, following an internationally aligned cleft protocol.
- Antenatal Counselling & Birth Planning
When a cleft is detected on prenatal ultrasound (typically at 18–20 weeks):
- Detailed counselling session with our cleft surgeon for the family before birth
- Explanation of cleft types, surgical timeline, and expected outcomes with imaging
- Feeding guidance prepared in advance ; specialised bottles and techniques discussed
- Neonatal team notified for immediate post-birth assessment and support
- Neonatal Assessment & Feeding Support
In the first days after birth:
- Classification of cleft type ; unilateral or bilateral lip, incomplete or complete palate
- Feeding assessment ; babies with cleft palate cannot create suction; specialist bottles provided
- Pre-surgical nasoalveolar moulding (NAM) initiated where applicable ; reshapes nostril cartilage before lip repair
- Weight monitoring and nutritional support during the pre-operative phase
- Primary Cleft Lip Repair (Cheiloplasty)
Primary cheiloplasty is typically performed at 3–6 months of age:
- Millard rotation-advancement or Mohler technique for unilateral cleft lip
- Bilateral cleft lip repaired using Mulliken or modified technique for symmetrical columellar elongation
- Simultaneous primary rhinoplasty to reshape the deviated nasal cartilage
- Procedure performed under general anaesthesia with full paediatric anaesthesia support
- Cleft Palate Repair (Palatoplasty)
Palate repair is performed at 9–12 months, before the critical window for speech development:
- Intravelar veloplasty (IVV) or Furlow double-opposing Z-plasty for soft palate repair
- Vomer flap for hard palate closure single-stage or two-stage based on cleft width
- Aim is to achieve a functional, watertight palate for normal feeding and early speech acquisition
- Cleft palate treatment for children Mumbai post-operative speech follow-up integrated from month 3 after repair
- Management of Velopharyngeal Insufficiency (VPI)
Some children develop VPI , inadequate palate closure during speech requiring further intervention:
- Velopharyngeal insufficiency assessment using nasopharyngoscopy and nasometry
- Speech therapy as first-line management for mild VPI
- Pharyngoplasty (pharyngeal flap or sphincter pharyngoplasty) for persistent VPI unresponsive to therapy
- Voice and resonance outcomes monitored by our speech-language pathologist at every stage
- Secondary & Revision Surgery
As children grow, secondary procedures address residual deformities:
- Alveolar bone grafting at age 8–10 years , restores upper jaw continuity before permanent canine tooth eruption
- Lip and nose revision surgery in adolescence , following completion of facial growth
- Orthognathic surgery for skeletal jaw discrepancy at 16–18 years when facial growth is complete
- Rhinoplasty for residual nasal asymmetry , final step in the reconstructive journey
- Multidisciplinary Follow-Up & Psychosocial Support
The cleft team multidisciplinary care protocol at Shree Hospitals includes:
- Annual cleft team review , speech, dental, surgical, and psychological assessment together
- Orthodontic management from dentition through to jaw surgery
- School support guidance and social integration counselling for parents
- Peer support group connection and sibling counselling where required
Happy Patients & Their Case Stories
"Our daughter was diagnosed with a cleft at 20 weeks on scan. The team at Shree Hospitals counselled us before birth and guided us every step of the way. She's now 4, speaking beautifully, and you'd barely know."
Mrs. Priya D.
"The surgery was technically brilliant — the symmetry of our son's lip is remarkable. But what sets this team apart is the follow-up. Speech therapy, dental review, everything coordinated."
Mrs. Fatima A.
How to Identify Cleft Lip & Palate ?
Cleft lip is usually visible at birth ,cleft palate may require examination to detect if the lip is intact:
Cleft Lip : Visible Signs:
- A split or gap in the upper lip from a small notch to a complete separation reaching the nostril
- Unilateral (one side) or bilateral (both sides)
- Associated flattening and displacement of the nostril on the affected side
- May be isolated or combined with cleft palate
Cleft Palate : Detected on Examination:
- An opening in the roof of the mouth, the hard palate, soft palate, or both
- Often only identified on examination of the newborn's mouth at birth
- Feeding difficulty , inability to create suction, milk coming through the nose
- Nasal quality to cry or feeding sounds
Later Signs Suggesting Missed or Submucosal Cleft Palate:
- Hypernasal speech , voice sounds like it is coming through the nose
- Frequent ear infections ,from Eustachian tube dysfunction
- Nasal regurgitation of food or liquid during early feeding
- A bifid uvula : the V-shaped uvula at the back of the throat
Important FAQs: Cleft Lip & Palate
Can a cleft lip be detected before birth?
Yes, cleft lip (with or without palate involvement) is detectable on antenatal ultrasound, typically at the 18–20 week anomaly scan. Cleft palate alone is more difficult to detect prenatally. When a cleft is identified on scan, our team offers immediate counselling, pre-birth surgical planning, and feeding preparation so families are fully supported from the start.
When is the best age to operate on a cleft lip?
Primary cheiloplasty is ideally performed between 3 and 6 months of age, when the infant is medically stable, of adequate weight, and the lip tissues are sufficiently developed for precision repair. Operating too early carries anaesthetic risk; delaying unnecessarily prolongs parental anxiety and feeding difficulty. Our cleft surgeon will confirm the optimal timing based on your child's specific anatomy and health.
Will my child's speech be normal after cleft palate repair?
The goal of cleft palate treatment for children Mumbai is to achieve normal speech — and the majority of children who have palate repair before 12 months do develop age-appropriate speech. However, some children develop velopharyngeal insufficiency (air escaping through the nose during speech) and require additional therapy or secondary pharyngoplasty surgery. Regular speech-language assessment from 18 months ensures any issues are detected and addressed early.
How many surgeries does a child with cleft lip and palate need?
The number varies based on cleft severity. A typical pathway includes: lip repair at 3–6 months, palate repair at 9–12 months, alveolar bone graft at 8–10 years, and lip/nose refinement in adolescence. Some children require additional procedures for VPI, orthodontic-surgical jaw correction, or further nasal revision. Our cleft team multidisciplinary care protocol plans the entire pathway from birth and keeps families informed at every stage.
Is cleft lip and palate hereditary?
Cleft lip and palate has both genetic and environmental contributing factors. If a parent has a cleft, the risk to their child is approximately 4%. If a sibling is affected, the risk increases to 2–4%. In many cases, cleft occurs spontaneously with no family history. Genetic counselling is available through our team for families who would like a more detailed risk assessment for future pregnancies.
Treatments For Cleft lip and Palate At Shree Hospitals
Treatments for Cleft Lip & Palate at Shree Hospitals Comprehensive cleft lip and palate treatment in Mumbai, ranging from early evaluation and feeding support to cleft repair surgery, speech therapy, orthodontic care, reconstructive procedures, and multidisciplinary rehabilitation for improved function and appearance.
Top Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons Specialists in Mumbai
Dr. Suyash Yashwant Patankar
Consultant Plastic, Reconstructive
Dr. Arun V. Sheth
Consultant Plastic, Cosmetic
Dr. Abhijeet Dharmaji Sawant
Consultant Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic
Dr. Udit Dalmia
Consultant Plastic, Aesthetic
Our Teams at Shree Hospitals is board-certified and has an average of 15+ years of clinical experienece.
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