Cleft Surgery in Mumbai

Cleft lip and cleft palate are birth defects that occur due to the failure of the baby’s lip or the palate to completely fuse during pregnancy. Such defects in total are called Oro Facial Clefts.

Cleft lip and cleft palate are among the most common birth defects, often requiring specialized surgical care to restore both function and appearance.

Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate

Cleft lip and cleft palate can occur on one or both sides of the mouth. Because the lip and the palate develop separately, it is possible to have a cleft lip without a cleft palate, a cleft palate without a cleft lip, or both a cleft lip and cleft palate together (the most frequently occurring defect).

Clefts are described based on:

Structures involved: lip, alveolus, hard palate, soft palate
Laterality: unilateral left, unilateral right, or bilateral
Severity: width and extent of structures involved

Having a baby born with a cleft can be upsetting, but cleft lip and cleft palate can be corrected. In most babies, a series of surgeries can restore normal function and achieve a natural appearance with minimal scarring.

Symptoms of Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate

Usually, a split (cleft) in the lip or palate is immediately identifiable at birth. Cleft lip and cleft palate may appear in various forms:

A split in the lip and roof of the mouth (palate) that affects one or both sides of the face.
A split in the lip that may appear as a small notch or extend from the lip through the upper gum and palate into the bottom of the nose.
A split in the roof of the mouth that doesn’t affect the outer appearance of the face — this type often goes unnoticed at birth and may only be diagnosed later when symptoms appear.

Common Signs and Symptoms of Submucous Cleft Palate:

Difficulty with feeding in infants.
Trouble swallowing, with liquids or food potentially coming out through the nose.
Nasal-sounding voice while speaking.
Frequent or chronic ear infections.

Timing for Surgical Correction — From Start to End in a Cleft Baby’s Life

Cleft Lip Surgery (3–5 months old):
This surgery should be performed when the baby is around 3 to 5 months old, depending on overall health. Early lip repair helps the baby’s face remodel naturally and allows the palate and alveolus to adjust according to the new lip position.
Cleft Palate Surgery (Around 1 year old):
Ideally performed at 1 year of age. Delaying this surgery can lead to speech difficulties and swallowing problems as the child grows.
Secondary Alveolar Bone Grafting (7–8 years old):
This procedure addresses the alveolar defect that remains after palate surgery. It is generally done between 7 and 8 years of age, once the child has begun speech therapy.
Cleft Rhinoplasty:
Performed later to lift the nasal tip and reshape nasal alae, giving the face a complete aesthetic improvement. Facial fillers can also be used to correct any minor irregularities.
Cosmetic Face Correction Surgeries (Around 21 years old):
After completing orthodontic teeth alignment, cosmetic procedures such as orthognathic surgery (jaw repositioning) can be performed to enhance facial symmetry and bite alignment.

Dr. Tofiq Bohra, a fellowship-trained Cleft and Craniofacial Surgeon from Cleft Children International (CCI), BSES MG Hospital, Andheri, has successfully operated on over 250 cleft cases with excellent outcomes.

Having a cleft baby can be emotionally challenging — but Dr. Tofiq Bohra ensures complete guidance and compassionate care for both parents and the child. He also collaborates with organizations that fund cleft surgeries and often undertakes pro bono cases for underprivileged patients — truly making him a one-stop specialist for all cleft patients.

Cleft Surgery in Mumbai