A cleft lip occurs when the tissue that forms the lip does not fully join or connect before birth. This results in an opening in the top lip, sometimes a small slit, and often a much larger gap. Children born with a cleft lip may or may not have a cleft palate, too.
Most of the time, a cleft lip is easily repaired with surgery. Sometimes, additional procedures such as NAM (nasoalveolar molding) may be recommended. This surgery is recommended for most around three months of age. Dr. Gandolfi has performed many cleft lip treatments that allowed children to live normal and healthy lives.
A cleft palate occurs when the tissue that forms the roof of the mouth does not fully join during pregnancy. For some babies, this results in both the front and back parts of the palate being open, and for others, it results in just one part of the palate being open.
For children with cleft palate, surgery is recommended within the first 18 months of life. Dr. Gandolfi is trained and experienced in repairing cleft palates and helping children avoid such problems as impaired speech, difficulty eating, and problems with their teeth.
For some children who have cleft palate surgery, further interventions may be needed in the form of speech therapy or dental therapy.
Children who have surgical intervention to repair a cleft lip or cleft palate generally spend one night in the hospital. The incision itself will take two to three weeks to heal, and may present some mild swelling or pain. This can result in some fussiness, but over-the-counter pain remedies usually work very well for alleviating your child’s discomfort.
When your child has a cleft lip or cleft palate, you naturally want to have the issue addressed as safely and as expediently as possible. Dr. Gandolfi is well-qualified and committed to the best outcomes for patients of all ages. To schedule a consultation for cleft lip or palate surgery, contact Dr. Gandolfi at (212) 287-7211.
Specializing in Plastic Surgery Services
in New York and New Jersey
◆ New York City
New York City
◆ New Jersey
◆ Manhattan
Dr. Brad Gandolfi is a double board-certified plastic surgeon treating patients in the NYC community. Through a combination of artistic skill and advanced clinical methodologies, Dr. Gandolfi provides his patients with natural-looking, harmonious results. His practice focuses on bespoke solutions to meet individual patient needs, offering treatments such as tummy tucks, liposuction, breast augmentation, Mommy Makeovers, and Brazilian Butt Lifts. Additionally, Dr. Gandolfi and his team are committed to offering the optimal patient experience and customer service that exceeds expectations
5140 N California Ave Suite 560, Chicago, IL 60625