Plastic surgery for cleft lip and palate

Prof. (Dr.) Md. Ayub Ali wrote this article in Bangla. It was first published in Desh Rupantor (page 6, city edition) on 6 September 2026.

Read the full article in Bangla

Summary

• Cleft lip and palate happen when parts of the lip and palate do not join while the baby's face forms in the womb; genetic and environmental factors may play a part. No one is to blame, neither the child nor the mother, and treatment is available in Bangladesh: plastic surgery.

• Reconstructive plastic surgery corrects birth differences like this, bringing form and function as close to normal as possible.

• For a cleft lip, surgery rebuilds the lip with its shape, the muscles, the shape of the nose and the child's future facial growth in mind. It is not only about closing a gap.

• A cleft palate affects feeding, swallowing and speech, so its treatment is often long-term.

• Besides the plastic surgeon, a child may need a paediatrician, anaesthetist, dental and orthodontic specialists, an ENT specialist and a speech therapist. The aim is that the child can eat, speak, hear, grow normally and face people with confidence.

• Every child is different, so the timing and type of surgery are decided by the specialist. Instead of superstition or shame, seek a specialist's advice at the right time.

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Original in Desh Rupantor