Cleft lip, alveolus and palate: Defect or dislocation malformation? Importance of adopting a physiological concept for surgical repair in achieving optimal outcomes in LMICs. Part 2: Integration of physiological growth considerations into a surgical concept.

Physiological processes in facial development show that cleft lip and palate (CLP) malformations are not defect malformations but dislocation malformations. The consideration of these processes and their integration into an operative concept significantly improve the growth of the midface and nose in CLP malformations and outcomes. An understanding and adoption of these concepts has the potential to consolidate optimal outcomes in LMICs.