[StardailyNews =Reporter Hwang Kyu Jun]

A cleft of the lip or palate happends when a baby is born with an opening in the upper lip or the roof of the mouth. Those orofacial clefts are some of the most common birth defects. A baby with a cleft might have: Only a cleft palate, Only a cleft lip, Both a cleft lip and palate.

A first cleft lip repairs are typically performed between 3 and 4 months of age depending on your child’s health status. The gap in the roof of the mouth is closed and the muscle and the lining of the palate are rearranged. Even if first operation was success, they left lightening scar or they will experience secondary deformation such as lips, philtrum, and nose changes. Secondary corrective surgery may be required.

Cleft lip and palate surgery is technically difficult requiring precise planning and understanding, so when you choose plastic surgery, through consultation with a specialist with rich experience and know-how in cleft palate.

Helped by : Dr. Yong Bae Kim from Wonjin Plastic Surgery