Cleft Lip and/or Palate: A Comprehensive Review and our Treatment Approach

Abstract Cleft lip with or without cleft palate is the most common congenital malformation of the head and neck. Children with cleft anomalies may experience a multitude of physical and developmental challenges. Psychosocial and emotional concerns of the patients and their families can also occur. As such, comprehensive care for the patient with cleft lip and/or palate requires an interdisciplinary team. This article describes epidemiology, embryo-logical developmental processes, known environmental and genetic risk factors, and their interaction, the assessment and current treatment recommendations for children born with cleft lip and/or cleft palate. We review the commonly used surgical techniques for repair, clinical outcomes and complications. Throughout the discussion, we share our experience and identify areas for future study with the focus on cleft palate management.