Doctors urge childhood correction of cleft lip and palate to prevent long-term health, social issues

Hyderabad: Cleft lip and palate are congenital conditions that require surgical correction during early childhood to prevent long-term physical, social and psychological challenges, specialists said.

If left untreated, the condition can affect speech, eating and social interaction well into adulthood, leading to stigma and loss of self-confidence.

Importance of early intervention

“Cleft lip and palate, a condition present from birth, should be corrected through surgery during childhood. If not treated early, it can trouble individuals throughout their lives. Early correction enables children to eat and speak normally like everyone else,” said dental specialist and maxillofacial surgeon Dr YSN Reddy.

He added that delayed treatment often exposes individuals to social embarrassment. “Otherwise, they may face social stigma and embarrassment,” he said.

Over 3,000 surgeries since 2004

Dr Reddy was speaking at a press conference at KIMS Icon Hospital, Sheelanagar, Visakhapatnam, marking the completion of over 3,000 cleft lip and palate surgeries at the institution since 2004.

“At our hospital, along with cleft lip and palate surgeries, we also correct various facial deformities. Cleft lip and palate are congenital conditions. Till now, we have performed these surgeries for patients ranging from 15-day-old infants to 66-year-old adults,” he said.

However, he stressed the importance of early intervention.

“Performing the surgery at a younger age reduces feelings of inferiority and boosts confidence,” Dr Reddy noted.

Free treatment for underprivileged patients

Highlighting the role of institutional and international support, Dr Reddy said the programme has ensured free treatment for economically disadvantaged patients.

“Thanks to the support of Doshi Smiles doctors Dr Nitin Doshi and Dr Leena Doshi from the USA, and through the INGA Foundation, KIMS Icon Managing Director Dr Satish Kumar and Executive Director Dr Sai Balaram have extended strong support to this entire initiative,” he said.

“Under this banner, we have performed these surgeries completely free of cost for underprivileged patients. We also provided transportation facilities from their homes to the hospital and back,” he added.

Expert speakers

The initiative, speakers said, underscores the need for early diagnosis, timely surgical intervention and sustained institutional support to address cleft-related deformities and improve quality of life.

The press conference was attended by INGA Foundation Managing Trustee and Medical Director Dr Krishna Shyamarao, INGA Foundation Trustee Dr Chetan Kumar, Association of Maxillofacial Surgeons of India (AOMSI) President Dr R. Manikandan, AOMSI Andhra Pradesh Chapter President Dr P. Vasundhar, KIMS Icon Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Gopal Raju, and Operations General Manager Mamata Devi Reddy, among others.