Cleft lip and palate is a congenital deformity. One child is born with these deformities per 700 live births. So on average 6000 children are born with cleft problem every year. According to a careful survey there is already existing pool of 2, 75,000 cleft patients. Only 25% of these patients get operated. The reasons for this include;
  • Economic constraints
  • Few trained surgeons
  • Hospital availability
  • Limited transportation from remote areas.
  • Lack of interdisciplinary teams
The proper management of cleft patients needs interdisciplinary approach. Such a team should include.
  • Plastic surgeon/Pediatric surgeons
  • Maxillofacial surgeon
  • ENT surgeons
  • Orthodontist
  • Speech therapist
  • Psychologist
  • Social worker

As we have large load of such patients and few plastic surgery units in Pakistan so pediatric surgeons, general surgeon and ENT surgeons are doing cleft surgery. I have been involved in cleft surgery for last 8 years. I am also a regular surgeon for CLAP (Cleft lip association of Pakistan). My slogan for these patients is
     "They have a right to smile and speak"

I operate cleft lip at age of 5 months. Cleft palate patients should have surgery soon after 12 months of age to have better speech outcome.

Pictures of Patients:  Gallery 1   Gallery 2   Gallery 3