Cleft Lip Surgery

---

Cleft lip surgery, also known as cheiloplasty, is a reconstructive procedure to correct a split or gap in the upper lip present at birth. This condition can affect one side (unilateral cleft lip) or both sides (bilateral cleft lip) of the lip, and may extend into the nose or gums.

The goal of surgery is to restore both function and appearance, allowing the child to eat, speak, and smile more naturally while improving facial symmetry and emotional well-being.

• all babies born with cleft lip
   
• those who want to revise previous cleft lip operations  to improve nasal and lip symmetry
   
• revision cleft surgery may be done to remove scars

Before surgery: For babies, the ideal age for cleft lip surgery is around 3 months or when the weight is around 10kg.  It may also be done at a later stage whenever the parents are ready.  For revision cleft lip surgery, it may be done at any time even during adulthood. 

Anesthesia: general anesthesia

Incision: the surgeon carefully separates and reshapes the tissues on both sides of the cleft. The skin, muscle, and underlying layers are then precisely stitched together to close the gap and restore a more natural lip shape and function. The goal is to create a balanced appearance while also improving feeding, speech development, and overall facial symmetry.

Procedure Time:  1-2 hours depending on severity

• Post-op Course: Oral antibiotics and pain reliever are taken for a week.  Expect swelling for 2-3 weeks.  Frequent ice compress is advised to help with the swelling.  

• Suture Removal: sutures are removed after 7 days
   
• Downtime: 7-14 days for swelling

• Scarring:  scars are usually visible for 1-3 months and will gradually fade over 6-12 months.  Silicone scar gel is highly advised.
   
• Results: you will see immediate results after surgery, but as the child grows, the cleft side may still underdevelop and scars may stretch out.  Revision surgery for improved scars and symmetry is usually done during school age or teenage years.

Q: Will there be a scar?
A: Yes, but Dr. Aicee places incisions strategically and uses advanced closure techniques to make scars as minimal and natural-looking as possible.

Q: Is more than one surgery needed?
A: In some cases, yes. As the child grows, additional refinements may be done to improve speech, nasal shape, or dental alignment.

Q: Can adults have cleft lip surgery too?
A: Yes. Although best performed in infancy, adults who missed early treatment can still undergo cheiloplasty to improve function and appearance.

Dr. Aicee Bernal is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon with special expertise in pediatric cleft repair. With advanced training and compassionate care, she prioritizes both functional success and aesthetic outcomes.

Her surgical approach is meticulous and child-centered, often involving a multidisciplinary care plan in partnership with pediatricians, speech therapists, and orthodontists.

Give your child the best possible start in life.
Trust Dr. Aicee Bernal, a compassionate and highly trained cleft surgeon in the Philippines, to provide safe and expert care for your child’s cleft lip.