52444 - Bilateral Cleft Lip Repair (No Palate)

The need for bilateral cleft lip primary repair in one stage, without anterior palate repair, arises when an infant or patient presents with a congenital bilateral cleft lip—gaps on both sides of the upper lip—requiring surgical closure under anesthesia with assistance in a hospital to unite the lip tissues on both sides, restore symmetry, and support feeding and facial aesthetics, excluding palate repair in this initial step. This is indicated as the first major repair for bilateral clefts, critical in the maxillofacial region where dual defects severely impact appearance and function.

Key conditions driving this procedure include:

• Bilateral deformity: Two-sided clefts prevent effective lip seal, complicating feeding and requiring repair to enable suction for nutrition.
• Aesthetic impact: The pronounced gaps and nasal flattening can lead to significant social challenges, necessitating early closure to normalize appearance.
• Oral function: Lack of lip continuity affects early speech attempts and drooling control, prompting repair to establish a functional foundation.
• Growth alignment: Closing both sides guides facial development, reducing nasal and maxillary asymmetry over time.

For example, a 3-month-old with a bilateral cleft lip might undergo this to improve breastfeeding and facial symmetry, with the assistant ensuring balanced suturing across both sides. In rare aged care cases, an elderly patient with an unrepaired bilateral cleft might seek this for late-life improvement, adjusted for frailty. By repairing both clefts in one stage without palate involvement, this service restores lip integrity, supports early development, and prepares for future interventions, making it a crucial initial step in bilateral cleft lip management within the maxillofacial framework.

Surgeons performing a bilateral cleft lip primary repair on the patient in one stage under anesthesia with assistance offer balanced benefits. A key advantage is restoring bilateral lip symmetry. This procedure closes the patient’s clefts on both sides, improving structure—crucial for 'bilateral cleft lip repair benefits.' It also improves feeding by correcting the lips, aiding the patient’s nutrition. Furthermore, it enhances facial aesthetics by aligning the lips, boosting the patient’s appearance. For surgeons exploring 'bilateral lip repair advantages,' this assisted service ensures patients experience symmetry restoration, feeding improvement, and aesthetic enhancement, providing an effective solution for bilateral clefts.

Recovery of 2-3 weeks with swelling and suture care; hospital stay typically short.