Treatment of cleft lip and cleft palate

The first case of cheiloplasty recorded was in China at about 200 BC. The technique of course has been vastly improved over the centuries. Cleft lip and/or cleft palate are among the most common congenital anomalies in China and the world. There is controversy over some of the surgical techniques used and age for operation, especially in cleft palate, but the condition requires surgery. Unilateral cleft lip is operated on at 3-6 month of age and bilateral cleft lip at 6-12 month of age. Views on palatoplasty are: 1. Cleft palate should be repaired at an early age; 2. Supplementary orthodontic treatment to expand the upper arch postoperatively is necessary, and orthognathic surgery is performed if needed when the patient has matured. This is the best choice at present.