A cleft lip is a birth defect that occurs when a baby’s lip does not form properly during pregnancy. As a result, there is an opening in the upper lip – which can either take the form of a small slit or it a large opening that goes through the lip into the nose. A cleft lip can either be on one or both sides of the lip or in the middle of the lip.

The goal of cleft lip repair is to close the gap created when the lip failed to form correctly and restore normal appearance and function to the upper lip.