Cleft Lip and Palate: A Review

Orofacial clefts comprise a range of congenital deformities and are the most common head and neck congenital malformation. Cleft has significant psychological and socio-economic effect on patient quality of life and requires a multidisciplinary team approach for management. The complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors plays a significant role in the incidence and cause of cleft. In the following review article, the embryology, classification, etiology, clinical features and management of cleft lip and palate are discussed along with primary goals of surgical repair to restore normal function, speech development, and facial esthetics. Different techniques are employed based on surgeon expertise and the unique patient presentations.