Having a baby is an emotional experience, and unexpected health issues may be overwhelming. We want you to know that you did nothing to make the cleft lip and/or cleft palate happen. Cleft lip (cheiloschisis) and cleft palate (palatoschisis) are among the most common birth defects affecting children in the United States as well as around the world.

If you'd like more information or want to schedule an appointment, please call 316-688-7500 or click below.

Consultation is available to you if you are expecting a child with a cleft (your baby may have been diagnosed in utero by ultrasound), or you have a child with a cleft. We welcome children of any age and previous surgical history.

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Cleft Lip and Palate

A cleft, or separation of the upper lip and/or the roof of the mouth, occurs very early in the development of your unborn child. During fetal development, certain components of the upper lip and roof of the mouth fail to form normally.

Cleft lip and palate happens when areas of the growing face fail to fuse correctly. This results in a gap in the lip, the palate or both. The cleft can involve one or both sides of the face. Cleft lip and palate is often diagnosed by ultrasound or at birth.

Plastic surgery can correct these through cleft lip and cleft palate repair. Cleft lip and cleft palate repair is a type of plastic surgery that can restore your child's function and a more normal appearance. The repair improves your child's ability to eat, speak, hear and breathe while restoring a more normal appearance and function.

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Cleft Lip and Palate Team

In addition to surgical treatment, the care of children with cleft lip and palate requires the expertise of multiple specialists including plastic surgery, oral surgery, ENT, orthodontics, dentistry, speech pathology, audiology, among others, throughout a child's lifetime.

Due to the unique nature of the issues involved in caring for a child, many of the challenges are managed through a multi-disciplinary team approach. Fortunately, Wichita is lucky to have such a team. The Cleft Lip and Palate Team offers such a coordinated model of care and is the only team, outside of Kansas City, to provide such services in the state of Kansas.

Our team of specialists has been caring for children with cleft lip and palate in Wichita and the surrounding areas since 1972, Oand we look forward to guiding you through the growth and development of your child and taking effective, comprehensive care of your child.

We care for and treat children from birth to age 21. The clinic is currently led by Dr. Nataliya Biskup, a fellowship-trained pediatric plastic surgeon and fellow of the American Society of Craniofacial Surgery and the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association. We are certified by the Cleft Palate Foundation. Our mission is to provide you and your child with quality, compassionate care with excellent outcomes.

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Cleft Lip and Palate Clinics at the Plastic Surgery Center

Early intervention by a team of specialists is essential in cleft lip and/or cleft palate repair. The team works together to define a course of treatment, including surgical repair of the cleft, speech rehabilitation and dental restoration. These specialists can meet with you at clinics throughout the year.

Clinics are held at the Plastic Surgery Center. These clinics are for children birth and up. If you would like more information, please call our office at 316-688-7500 or contact us below.

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Physician Certifications of Dr. Ferris, Dr. Sprole, and Dr. Biskup