Cleft lip and Palate care are medical conditions that require intensive care and support. A craniofacial team must be skilled and trained in treating these disorders. Read more and discover What Is the Role of a Craniofacial Team in Cleft Lip and Palate Care.
What is Cleft Lip and palate?
Cleft Lip
It occurs when two sides of the upper lip are separated. It often expands above the base of the nose. Moreover, it also includes the bones of the upper jaw and gum. It can occur on one side or both sides of the lip.
Cleft Palate
An opening or split in the roof of the mouth. It involves:
- The hard palate (the bony front portion of the roof of the mouth)
- The soft palate (the soft back portion of the roof of the mouth)
What Is the Role of a Craniofacial Team in Cleft Lip and Palate Care?
Cleft Lip and Palate surgery can be defined as anything associated with the cranium and face. The cranium is the portion of the skull that surrounds the brain. Abnormalities related to craniofacial can be prenatal and postnatal. This means that you can experience the disorders before birth and after birth, they can develop too.
Members of the Craniofacial team
A craniofacial team comprises professionals who help diagnose, treat, and manage various craniofacial disorders. The following people are included in the craniofacial team:
- Plastic/Craniofacial surgeon
- Pediatrician
- Orthodontists
- Pediatric Dentist
- Speech and language specialist
- Otolaryngologist
- Audiologist
- Genetic counselor
- Nurse team coordinator
- Social worker
Craniofacial team role in cleft lip and palate care
Cleft lip and palate care requires combined efforts from the craniofacial team. All the members of this team work together to help individuals with these issues. Below are the details of the role of the craniofacial team:
Diagnosis and evaluation
They help diagnose and treat cleft and any related medical conditions. Our skilled experts will design a customized treatment plan for your condition.
Surgical interventions
If the treatment requires surgical interventions, our plastic and craniofacial surgeons will use surgical therapies to resolve the issue.
Dental and orthodontic care
They diagnose and manage conditions related to teeth. Moreover, they also help to improve the functioning and appearance of teeth.
Speech Therapy
Any difficulties due to cleft can be solved by our dedicated team. They use therapies to help improve speech.
Hearing and ear care
Children with cleft often face issues in hearing. The craniofacial team can help improve problems with the ear and its functioning among children and adults.
Psychological support
Individuals with cleft often face various issues that can affect the psychological health of an individual. Our specialists can help people manage the challenges.
Nutritional guidance
They can also offer guidance on nutrition to cleft patients. They provide special care for infants who have difficulty in feeding.
Follow-up
The team provides support and monitoring throughout the treatment.
Diagnosing Cleft Lip and Palate
The craniofacial team uses the following tools and techniques to diagnose cleft and palate issues:
Prenatal
- Ultrasound
Before birth, in the 13th week of pregnancy, ultrasounds can help to detect if a child has cleft lip.
- Amniocentesis
If in the ultrasound it shows up, amniocentesis is used to check genetic syndrome.
Postnatal
- Physical
Our team detects the issues by physical examination. This is the first step in checking for cleft issues, further diagnosis is required.
- Genetic Testing
A geneticist checks if the cleft lip in a baby is because of a genetic syndrome.
- Imaging
Imaging tests such as X-rays or MRIs are used to investigate if the problem needs surgical interventions.
- Audiogram
It is used to detect if there is any hearing issue in individuals with cleft patients.
- Speech and language assessment
Pathologists of craniofacial team assess the children and people to check if they have any problems in speech and language.
Conclusion
The role of a craniofacial team is significant in determining the success of cleft lip and palate treatments. A good craniofacial team of skilled and expert doctors, surgeons, and staff must have a deep understanding of anatomy. They must be well-equipped with the knowledge of advanced tools and equipment. Moreover, they should be prepared for emergencies.
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