Cleft lip and palate surgery repairs a congenital opening in the lip, the roof of the mouth, or both.
Local anaesthesia, sedation or general anaesthesia is selected according to the repair, extent of the defect and assessment by the surgeon and anaesthetist.
The doctor determines the method and duration after examination, review of your records and assessment of the extent of treatment.
The need for admission and timing of discharge depend on the method, anaesthesia and your general health. Obtain a plan from the medical centre before travelling.
Allow time for rest, care of the treated area and help after discharge. You will receive instructions specific to the procedure.
Arrange the next examination and, when necessary, removal of sutures or dressings with the clinical team. Your return journey should fit this plan.
Work, exercise and travel depend on healing and medical clearance; there is no single timetable for everyone.
Repair of cleft lip and palate aims to improve appearance, feeding, breathing and speech. Care is planned by a specialist team and may involve several stages as the child grows.
Treatment aims to improve facial appearance and support breathing, hearing, speech and feeding. Surgery may need to be combined with hearing care, speech therapy, dental treatment or orthodontics. Needs differ between children and are reviewed during growth.
Preparation includes general surgical assessment and age-specific care. Tell the team about all medicines, health problems, allergies and any new fever or infection. Follow instructions from the surgeon and anaesthetist, especially the child’s individual fasting plan.
Initial healing may take weeks, but lip and palate aftercare differ. Obtain feeding, wound-protection and review instructions from the cleft team. Growth, speech and hearing follow-up can continue long term.
Treatment and travel are coordinated around your circumstances and the agreed care plan.
Your records and expectations are collected to arrange a specialist consultation. Requests for further information are followed up before travel.
Consultations and visits are arranged according to the doctor’s and medical centre’s schedules.
Interpreter and travel support can be coordinated to assist communication with your doctor and medical centre.
Post-treatment visits and online follow-up, when available, are considered in accordance with the doctor’s plan.
Before travelling, check insurance coverage, exclusions and approval requirements with your insurer in your country of residence.
Contact the Medisa team to discuss your request and arrange an initial consultation.
An estimate follows review of your records and a treatment plan. Request an up-to-date written proposal that distinguishes treatment costs from travel services.
The type of cleft, the child’s age, earlier operations and the need for multidisciplinary or staged care affect the estimate. The required procedures and stages are determined after specialist assessment.
The estimate should specify consultations, examinations, surgeon and team fees, theatre, anaesthesia, tests and required medicines. Team expertise and surgical complexity can affect the cost.
Public or private care, required facilities, admission length and equipment or materials may change costs. Clinical need guides the choice of technique and device.
Compare the same procedure, stages, included and excluded services, follow-up and payment terms. For a comparison between Iran and other countries, obtain current quotes for equivalent services; one fixed price cannot apply to every patient.
Treatment coordination may be considered with or without accommodation. Confirm the chosen option and all included services in writing before travelling.
For a person arranging their own stay, treatment, consultations, tests, necessary admission and follow-up can be coordinated according to the agreed plan. Costs and exclusions should be stated separately.
Accommodation can be considered according to your condition and the required stay. Confirm nights, hotel category, breakfast or meals, companion arrangements and transfers in the written proposal before booking.
Where requested and available, visa coordination, interpreting, airport and city transfers and a SIM card or internet can be considered. Entry and visa approval follow the relevant rules. Check insurance coverage, exclusions and costs outside the package with the relevant provider before travel.
The opening can affect the lip, palate or both. Feeding and weight gain, milk coming through the nose, hearing, speech or dental development may be affected. Severity varies and specialist-team assessment and follow-up are needed.
Timing depends on the cleft, the child’s growth and health and the team’s programme. Many programmes repair the lip in the early months and the palate during the first year. Further treatment may be needed during growth. Ask for your child’s individual schedule.
Speech therapy, hearing care, dental treatment, orthodontics or further surgery may also be needed. These needs are reviewed as the child grows.
Before discharge, practise the approved feeding method and equipment with the child’s team and obtain an age-appropriate food and fluid plan. Contact the team if drinking, weight gain or hydration is inadequate.
Provide the child’s medicines, allergies, medical history and any new fever or infection. Obtain individual fasting instructions from the anaesthesia team.
