Cleft Lip and Palate Repair in Turkey

Cleft Lip and Palate Repair

Cleft lip and cleft palate are congenital conditions that occur during early fetal development. They may affect the lip, the palate, or both. Beyond aesthetic appearance, these conditions can influence:

• Feeding in infancy
• Speech development
• Hearing
• Facial growth
• Psychosocial well-being

Successful treatment requires a staged and multidisciplinary approach involving pediatricians, plastic surgeons, speech therapists, orthodontists, and ENT specialists.

About the Surgeon

Cleft lip and palate repair at Anka is performed by Assoc. Prof. Anı Çinpolat, MD, an EBOPRAS-certified plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgeon based in Istanbul, Turkey.

With extensive reconstructive training and experience in complex facial surgery, her approach focuses on restoring anatomy, supporting normal facial growth, and planning long-term care through adolescence and adulthood.

Timing of Surgical Repair

Treatment follows a structured timeline designed to support growth and development.

Cleft Lip Repair

Cleft lip repair is typically performed at approximately 3 months of age, provided the infant’s general health is stable.

The goals of surgery are:

• Restoration of lip continuity
• Reconstruction of muscle function
• Improvement of nasal symmetry

Early repair supports feeding and bonding and contributes to normal facial development.

Cleft Palate Repair

Cleft palate repair is generally performed around 9–12 months of age.

The primary objectives are:

• Separation of oral and nasal cavities
• Restoration of palatal muscle function
• Support of normal speech development

Speech therapy and long-term follow-up are essential components of care.

Long-Term Follow-Up and Secondary Procedures

Cleft care does not end in childhood. As the child grows, facial development continues, and additional procedures may become necessary.

In adolescence and early adulthood (around 17–18 years of age), patients may benefit from:

• Secondary rhinoplasty to improve nasal symmetry and breathing
• Lip scar revision to refine appearance and contour
• Orthognathic surgery when jaw alignment requires correction
• Minor aesthetic refinements for functional or cosmetic improvement

These procedures are carefully timed after facial growth is complete to ensure stable and lasting results.

Adult Cleft Patients

Adults who were treated in childhood may still seek corrective or revision procedures later in life.

Common adult concerns include:

• Residual nasal asymmetry
• Visible lip scars
• Functional breathing difficulties
• Jaw discrepancies

Reconstructive revision surgery can significantly improve both function and facial harmony when planned appropriately.

A Lifelong Approach

Cleft lip and palate management is a long-term journey rather than a single operation.

The goal is not only early repair but also:

• Support of normal growth
• Functional restoration
• Psychological well-being
• Thoughtful planning of adolescent and adult revisions

Consultation

For comprehensive evaluation and long-term reconstructive planning, please contact:

info@ankaplasticsurgery.com
WhatsApp: +90 530 496 89 89