What type of surgeon would perform surgery to repair a cleft lip?

Question

I am 4 months pregnant and we just found out our baby has two left lips. I want to start doing all the research I can and try to find a good surgeon. However, I don't know what to look under. Please help us.

She has 2 cleft lips. Not left lips. Sorry.

We live in Cleveland are blessed to have the Cleveland Clinic practically in our backyard. Thank you all so much for your help.

Answer 1

Hi
Congrats on your little one!! What exciting news!

My husband and son both have cleft lip and palate (unilateral cleft lip and bilateral cleft palate. Your child has bilateral cleft lip and most probably cleft palate too), and we work with the team at Children's in Cincinnati. Our son is 5, almost 6. He is completely adorable and sweet and funny. He has an unnamed syndrome, which included some other issues, but has done great, despite all the surgeries.

I know there are some fantastic docs in Cleveland for kids with clefts. Look at the resource page below and see if you can find a pathfinder in your area to talk to. If possible, the best route is a cleft or craniofacial team at your local Children's Hospital. Your child will possibly have several issues - feeding, speech, dental, cosmetic, and the team approach really works well. The first surgery is usually to close the lip. Some docs use a device prior to surgery to pull the gums closer, some don't. The second surgery usually closes the palate. There are other definite surgeries and any number of possible surgeries, but until your child is born, don't worry about them. Each kid is different.

It's not easy, but you get through it and it makes you stronger. You will find that you have strength and abilities you never knew you had! Each child is different too, so you might have only a couple of surgeries to get through or you might have several. For my own sake, I would not change a thing about Josh. Or his dad. (For their sakes I would take away every problem ever, if I could!!) They are amazing people. His brother and sister have learned so much about empathy and embracing differences through having him in their lives. They are such caring little people.

I am adding a link that will be a big help for you. It is to a support group called Cleft Advocate. They are a great resource and the group is made up of parents, kids, and adults who are affected by clefts. Terrific group of people. The website is very helpful too, it has all kinds of resources, including teams, funding, and pathfinders (fellow families) in your area. Since you are in Ohio, be sure to have your hospital help you fill out paperwork to apply for BCMH (Bureau for Children with Medical Handicaps). They help cover a lot of expenses!!

Hope this helps! Please feel free to contact me if you need more info, or just want to chat.

Liz

Answer 2

I don't know where you live, but you should be having your baby at a large specialised maternity hospital with nursery attached. Although you possibly already have this organised. That is because you will need to learn special feeding techniques for cleft palates. The best person to talk to regarding a surgeon for the baby would be a specialist neonatologist or paediatrician, they would know who has the most experience in performing this surgery. A large maternity/ nursery hospital would have all of these specialists.

Have your obstetrician make arrangements for you to speak to the neonatologist and the surgeon, either plastic surgeon or cranio-facial, depending on how extensive the cleft is.

Best of luck.
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Answer 3

Definately you want a pediatric plastic surgeon who specializes in cleft lip repair. I do not know where you live, but Cincinnati Children's Hospital has some of the best specialists in the world for this sort of thing. You should check out their web site. I think it is www.cchmc.org. You might need to double check that. They would be very worth your while.

Answer 4

Plastic Surgeon

Answer 5

Congrads on your pregnancy! I would have to agree with the response of a Pediatric Plastic Surgeon would be the best thing to start with. Discuss it with your OB and find out if that person would be able to make any suggestions as to who to consult.

Good luck.

Answer 6

Double cleft.
Two left lips, that was funny :)
Plastic Surgeon.
You would have to find out if the Palatte is cleft also. I don't know if they would be able to see that now or not. Good luck. Congrats on the baby, He/She will be fine.

Answer 7

I would sugest a plastic surgeon with a specialty in ENT (Ear, nose and throat) procedures.