Every parent wants what’s best for their child, especially when facing the challenges of a cleft lip or palate. This congenital condition affects not just physical appearance but also essential functions like breathing, feeding, speech, and self-esteem. At the practice of Dr. Joseph J. Rousso, MD, FACS, we offer world-class, compassionate care to families throughout New York City and the greater Tri-State Area, guiding them through the journey of repair and recovery with expertise and empathy.
Understanding Orofacial Clefting
Cleft lip and palate occur when tissues in a baby’s face and mouth don’t fuse properly during early pregnancy. This can result in a cleft of the lip, the palate, or both. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that cleft lip with or without cleft palate occurs in about 1 in 1,600 U.S. babies, and cleft palate alone occurs in about 1 in 1,700 births.
Despite its frequency, every cleft case is unique. Severity varies from minor notches in the lip to extensive separations that affect the gums, nose, and soft palate. These differences mean that a personalized, multidisciplinary approach is essential for achieving the best outcome.
A Team Approach to Care
Dr. Rousso is co-director of the cleft lip, palate, and microtia team at The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, one of the top programs in the nation. Our coordinated care model includes experts in:
- Pediatric facial plastic surgery
- ENT specialists
- Speech and feeding therapy
- Pediatric dentistry and orthodontics
- Nursing and family support services
This team ensures every aspect of your child’s function, development, and appearance is addressed using cutting-edge surgical techniques backed by the latest medical research.
Surgical Options for Cleft Repair
Dr. Rousso offers a full range of advanced procedures tailored to each child’s anatomy and age. These include:
- Cleft Lip Repair: Usually performed within the first 3–6 months of life.
- Cleft Palate Repair: Typically done between 9–18 months to support speech development.
- Furlow Palatoplasty and Submucous Cleft Palate Repair: Refine palate structure and function.
- Pharyngeal Flap or Sphincter Pharyngoplasty: Improves speech by correcting velopharyngeal insufficiency.
- Speech Surgery and Minimally Invasive Pharyngeal Augmentation: Address long-term speech clarity.
Throughout all procedures, Dr. Rousso emphasizes minimally invasive techniques, optimal symmetry, and minimal visible scarring.
Compassionate Care, Global Expertise
While Dr. Rousso provides top-tier care in NYC, his expertise is internationally recognized. He has led surgical missions in underserved countries and regularly lectures on advanced cleft lip and palate reconstruction techniques. His dedication to restoring function and confidence in young patients spans both local and global communities.
Start the Journey Toward Healing
If your child was born with a cleft lip or palate, know that you are not alone, and it’s not your fault. Cleft conditions are caused by complex genetic and environmental factors, not by anything a parent did or didn’t do. What matters now is access to the right treatment at the right time.
Trust your child’s care to one of NYC’s most experienced and compassionate surgeons. Contact our Manhattan office today to schedule a consultation and learn how we can give your child the gift of a healthy smile and a confident future.