Can Any Further Improvement Be Done For My Son’s Cleft Lip?

Q: Dr. Eppley, My son is 16 years old was born with a cleft lip It is now closed , but the scar is clear and the lip is not filled propwely. A fat transfer was done last December but the results are not satisfactory. Please advise if anything further could be done.

A: Without seeing pictures, it is would be impossible to make an accurate comment about any further potential improvements…although I have yet to see a cleft lip repair that could not stand some further efforts. I would not think that fat injections had any chance to offer improvement as the issue is one of proper alignment of the muscle, skin and vermilion not just a volume issue even though it may visually seem so.

Please send me some pictures of your son’s lip at your convenience.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis,Indiana