Cleft Lip Surgery Treatment in India
About Cleft Lip Surgery
Key Highlights
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Corrects a congenital facial deformity to improve appearance and function.Restores muscle continuity for proper lip movement, feeding, and future speech development.Can significantly improve nasal shape and symmetry.Often the first and most critical step in a multidisciplinary treatment plan for cleft conditions.Performed at an early age to optimize healing and developmental outcomes.
Who is this surgery for?
- Diagnosis of a congenital cleft lip (unilateral or bilateral).
- Presence of a cleft lip with or without an associated cleft palate.
- To enable proper feeding and nutrition in an infant.
- To establish a foundation for normal speech and language development.
- To improve facial aesthetics and support healthy psychosocial development.
How to prepare
- A comprehensive pre-operative evaluation by a pediatrician, surgeon, and sometimes an anesthesiologist to ensure the infant is healthy for surgery.
- Rule of Tens is often used as a guideline: the baby should be at least 10 weeks old, weigh 10 pounds, and have a hemoglobin of 10 g/dL.
- Pre-operative counseling for parents regarding the procedure, anesthesia, and recovery.
- Feeding instructions may be adjusted in the days leading up to surgery (e.g., switching to a special cleft feeder).
- No solid food or milk for a specified period before surgery (clear fluids may be allowed until a few hours prior).
Risks & possible complications
- Reactions to anesthesia.
- Bleeding, infection, or poor wound healing at the surgical site.
- Asymmetry or unsatisfactory aesthetic result, potentially requiring revision surgery.
- Scarring, though the incision is designed to follow natural lip lines.
- Nasal deformity or breathing difficulties.
- Damage to nerves, which could affect lip movement or sensation (usually temporary).
Recovery & hospital stay
- Initial hospital stay for monitoring, pain management, and ensuring the baby can feed safely.
- Use of arm restraints ("no-no" sleeves) for 1-2 weeks to prevent the baby from touching or rubbing the surgical site.
- Specialized feeding techniques with a soft-tipped syringe or special bottle to avoid pressure on the lip.
- Gentle cleansing of the suture line as instructed by the surgical team.
- Pain is managed with prescribed medications.
- Follow-up appointments are crucial to monitor healing, remove sutures (if non-dissolvable), and plan for any future procedures.
- Parents are educated on signs of infection or complications.
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Typical hospital stay:
2-4 days
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Expected recovery time:
Initial healing: 1-2 weeks; Full recovery and scar maturation: several months to a year
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering cleft lip surgery in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for cleft lip surgery in India include Kamineni Hospital, Tadigadapa, Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Manipal Hospital Mukundapur, Manipal Hospital Dhakuria, Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform cleft lip surgery. MediFyr helps you compare general surgeons and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for cleft lip surgery compare across other countries where we have data.
| Country | Estimated cost range | Typical stay | Recovery time | View details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | USD 881 – USD 2,753 | 2-4 days | ~ Initial healing: 1-2 weeks; Full recovery and scar maturation: several months to a year | Know More |
| Turkey | USD 6,556 – USD 20,489 | 2-4 days | ~ Initial healing: 1-2 weeks; Full recovery and scar maturation: several months to a year | Know More |
Top hospitals for Cleft Lip Surgery in India
These partner hospitals in India have dedicated general surgery teams and experience managing patients undergoing cleft lip surgery.
vijayawada, India
44 Doctors
Myra Ali is a 6-month-old baby...
Myra Ali is a 6-month-old baby girl, the first child of young parents who immigrated to Canada from Pakistan a year ago. Myra was born with a complete unilateral cleft lip on her left side, a visible gap extending from her lip into her nostril. Her parents, though initially heartbroken and worried about social stigma, were determined to get her the best care. From birth, she worked with a feeding specialist to ensure proper nutrition. At her 4-month check-up, the pediatrician referred her to a pediatric plastic and reconstructive surgeon. The surgeon, Dr. Chen, recommended the Millard rotation-advancement repair, explaining it was the ideal time between 3-6 months to optimize healing and future facial growth. The surgery lasted about 2 hours. Myra's parents waited anxiously, praying. Post-surgery, her lip was swollen with delicate stitches forming her new philtrum. Recovery involved arm splints to prevent her from touching the site, careful feeding, and wound care. After two weeks, the swelling subsided dramatically, revealing a beautifully repaired lip. The emotional journey was profound; her mother wept tears of joy seeing her daughter's new smile, feeling a heavy weight of worry lift, replaced by hope for Myra's future.
General surgeons for Cleft Lip Surgery
Explore experienced general surgeons who regularly perform cleft lip surgery and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 17 Years Experience
- General surgeon
Manipal Hospital Salt Lake, Kolkata
- 1 Years Experience
- General surgeon
Gem Hospital Aminjikarai, Chennai
- 8 Years Experience
- General surgeon
Manipal Hospitals Broadway, Kolkata