Repair of cleft lip and palate: 1. Surgical techniques.

Studies in Sri Lanka have demonstrated that in the absence of surgery, growth of the facial skeleton is normal. In developed countries, however, it is considered unacceptable to leave a child with an unrepaired cleft. The aim of surgery being to produce a near normal face. Part 1 provides an overview of the surgical repair of clefts and outline the general principles, as well as the most common surgical procedures. Part 2 will evaluate the surgical techniques and discuss the clinical research methodology involved.