[Principles of treating congenital cleft lip and palate]

Six months is believed to be optimal age for primary chiloplasty; the most effective method is a combined chiloplasty after Mirault---Limberg---Obukhova---Anamenski resulting in primary union in 99% of cases. In cleft palate the operation is possible at the age of 6--7 years. The article describes specific features of the surgical treatment of clefts involving part of the hard palate, complete uni- and bilateral cleft palate and alveolar processes of maxilla.