CLEFT LIP AND PALATE

One in every 700 births results in a cleft lip and/or palate. Many of these congenital deformities occur in families that have no history of clefts. While it is known how cleft deformities occur, it is seldom known why.

Cleft defects develop very early in pregnancy. They result from an abnormality in the genes (units of heredity) or chromosomes (packets of genes). These elements contain the program that determines how the child will be formed. Why and how abnormalities in the genes and chromosomes develop is largely unknown. An individualized genetic assessment may be helpful in identifying the cause of the malformation.

Cleft Lip and Palate Diagnosis

Bilateral Cleft Lip
Bilateral Cleft Lip and Alveolus
Bilateral Complete Cleft of the Lip, Alveolus & Palate
Cleft Palate
Unilateral Cleft Lip

Cleft Lip and Palate Topics

General Considerations
Cleft Lip and Palate Statistics
Cleft Palate and Cleft Lip
Cleft Palate Surgery
Infancy to Adulthood
Special Problems of the Ears
Secondary Cleft Treatment
Speech Evaluation
Post Operative Care
Feeding an Infant with a Cleft

Other Conditions

Craniosynostosis
Craniosynostosis Surgery
Encephalocele
Endoscopic-guided Craniosynostosis
Fibrous Dysplasia
Hemangioma
Hypertelorism
Sagittal Synostosis
Treatment for Down Syndrome

CRANIOFACIAL SYNDROMES
& DEFORMITIES

Craniofacial surgery focuses on the correction of deformities of the bones of the skull and face . Less than 30 years ago medicine offered little hope to patients with severe craniofacial deformities. Today, craniofacial surgery, undertaken by highly experienced teams, has profoundly changed the outlook for these patients and their families. That which was deemed impossible in the past is now a reality through advancements in medical technology and the skill of multidisciplinary professionals .

Craniofacial Syndromes

Syndromal
Definition - Can contain groups of craniofacial deformities:

Apert's Syndrome
Carpenters Syndrome
Crouzon's Syndrome
Down Syndrome
Encephalocele
Goldenhar Syndrome
Hypertelorism
Pfeiffer Syndrome
Pierre Robin Syndrome
Saethre-Chotzen Syndrome
Treacher Collins Syndrome

Craniofacial Deformities

Non-syndromal
Definition - The following deformities can occur apart from a syndrome:

Craniosynostosis
Burns of the Head & Neck
Eye and Orbit Deformities
Jaw Deformities
Nasal Deformities
Traumatic Injuries of the Head and Neck
Tumors of the Head and Neck
Brachycephaly
Sleep Apnea & Airway Obstruction
Microtia and Other Ear Deformities