Kansas Cleft and Craniofacial Center

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Kansas Cleft and Craniofacial Center

The Kansas Cleft and Craniofacial Center is a multi-disciplinary team of specialists for the treatment of complex congenital anomalies of the head & neck.

01/07/2025

July is Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness Month

💡 What Are Cleft and Craniofacial Conditions?

Cleft and craniofacial conditions are a group of congenital (from birth) anomalies that affect the head and face. They can involve:
• Cleft lip and/or cleft palate — openings or splits in the upper lip and/or roof of the mouth.
• Craniosynostosis — early fusion of skull bones affecting brain and skull growth.
• Microtia — underdevelopment of the outer ear.
• Hemifacial microsomia, Treacher Collins syndrome, and other rare disorders.

👶 Cleft Lip & Palate Fast Facts:
• Affects 1 in 700 babies worldwide.
• Can cause challenges with feeding, speech, hearing, and dental development.
• Most babies undergo corrective surgery within their first year of life.
• Early treatment involves a team of specialists: surgeons, orthodontists, speech therapists, and more.

💪 Why This Month Matters:
• To educate the public and reduce stigma.
• To celebrate the strength and resilience of individuals and families.
• To highlight the importance of early diagnosis, access to multidisciplinary care, and long-term support.

11/06/2025

Unilateral cleft lips are generally classified into three main types based on how much of the lip and surrounding structures are affected:

⸻

1. Incomplete Unilateral Cleft Lip
• Definition: The cleft does not extend into the nostril.
• Anatomy affected:
• Part of the upper lip only.
• Nasal structures are usually less deformed.
• Subtypes by severity:
• Mild: Small notch in the red part of the lip (vermilion).
• Moderate: Involves more of the lip, possibly disrupting the muscle (orbicularis oris), but nostril remains intact.

⸻

2. Complete Unilateral Cleft Lip
• Definition: The cleft extends from the lip all the way into the base of the nostril.
• Anatomy affected:
• Lip, possibly the alveolus (gum ridge).
• Nasal base on the affected side is usually displaced.
• Characteristics:
• The lip is fully divided.
• The philtral column and Cupid’s bow are often asymmetrical.
• Nasal asymmetry is common—nostril may appear wider and flatter.

⸻

3. Microform (or “Forme Fruste”) Unilateral Cleft Lip
• Definition: A very mild, partial cleft—a “hidden” cleft.
• Anatomy affected:
• Minimal skin defect (may look like a scar or indentation).
• Muscle underneath may be partially separated.
• Clinical features:
• Cosmetic concern more than functional.
• Often discovered on close exam or when muscle function is impaired.

If your child is affected by a cleft lip and/or palate,
Wesley Children’s Hospital
☎️ 316-962-4062
Hutchinson Clinic
☎️ 620-694-4444
For any questions, DM us!

03/06/2025

malformations (like an ear that sticks out too much) are very common, occurring in as many as 20% of newborns. Though some shape differences can resolve, many do not. For those that don’t, ear molding is a non-surgical way of reshaping an infant’s ear saving the need for a more invasive surgical procedure later in life, such as an otoplasty. Many parents/pediatricians are not aware that something can be offered to treat this.

The EarWell is
✅ totally PAIN-FREE,
✅ NON-surgical procedure,
✅ COVERED by insurance,
✅ takes only about 20 minutes to apply, ✅ requires once-weekly visits while in place.
⚠️Molding is time sensitive and, ideally, needs to happen BEFORE 6 weeks of age.

26/05/2025

Primary cleft rhinoplasty performed at the time of cleft lip repair offers both functional and aesthetic benefits, especially during early stages of development.

Benefits:
1. Improved Nasal Symmetry Early – Corrects nasal deformities immediately, reducing asymmetry from the start.
2. Better Long-Term Outcomes – Early intervention can reduce the severity of future surgeries.
3. Supports Normal Growth Patterns – Helps guide cartilage growth and improve nasal shape over time.
4. Minimizes Stigma – Early correction may reduce psychosocial impact and increase confidence as the child grows.
5. Single Anesthesia Event – Combines procedures to avoid multiple exposures to anesthesia.
6. Enhances Breathing Function – Improves nasal airway obstruction common with cleft-related deformities.

If your child is affected by a cleft lip and/or palate,
Wesley Children’s Hospital
☎️ 316-962-4062
Hutchinson Clinic
☎️ 620-694-4444
For any questions, DM us!

19/05/2025

Facial Equality Week highlights the importance of promoting dignity, inclusion, and equitable treatment for individuals with facial differences.

At the Kansas Cleft and Craniofacial Center, we are committed to delivering multidisciplinary, patient-centered care that goes beyond surgical intervention. As a team, our goal is to restore function and form—but just as critically, we must advocate for a society that recognizes the value and humanity of every face.

Facial difference is not a condition to be hidden—it is a part of the diversity of human appearance. This week is a reminder that achieving true health equity includes addressing the social and emotional impacts of facial difference.

12/05/2025

What an amazing few days of learning, teaching, and collaborating at the ACPA and ASCFS annual meeting! These meetings always leave us so inspired and motivated to better refine the care we provide to our own patients ! The present and future of cleft and craniofacial care is so bright ✨.

🏥 Welsey Medical Arts Tower
3243 E Murdock, Ste 100
Wichita, KS 67208
☎️ (316)260-1690
☎️(620)694-4444 for Hutchinson Clinic location
DM 📱 with questions

08/05/2025

Immediate results after repair of a wide bilateral cleft lip and nose.

28/04/2025

When to be worried about your child’s head shape?

You should be concerned about your child’s head shape if you notice certain persistent or unusual features, especially as they grow. Here are key signs to watch for:
• Persistent flat spots: A flat area on the back or side of the head (called positional plagiocephaly) is common in young infants, but if it doesn’t improve with repositioning, it should be evaluated.
• Asymmetry: If the head shape looks uneven, with one side appearing different from the other (ear misalignment, forehead bulging on one side), it could signal an underlying issue.
• Unusual head shapes: Cone-shaped, very elongated (scaphocephaly), very wide (brachycephaly), or a forehead that is overly prominent could point to a condition like craniosynostosis (early closure of skull sutures).
• Lack of growth: If the baby’s head circumference isn’t growing along expected curves on the pediatric growth chart, this could suggest a problem like microcephaly.
• Bulging soft spot (fontanelle) when not crying or straining, or a sunken soft spot, could also indicate problems.
• Developmental concerns: If head shape irregularities are accompanied by developmental delays, it warrants closer medical evaluation.

When to seek medical advice:
• If the asymmetry is noticeable after 6 weeks of repositioning efforts.
• If there are signs of craniosynostosis (ridges along sutures, no soft spot, abnormal head shape that’s getting worse).
• If you have any concerns about your child’s growth, milestones, or physical appearance.

24/04/2025

This baby be underwent spring assisted cranioplasty to correct sagittal craniosynostosis.

This procedure is done in kids born with craniosynostosis. The fused suture (in this case the sagittal suture) is removed. A spring designed to apply a calibrated amount of force is inserted into the gap where the bone is removed. This spring acts to expand the skull bones that have been constricted by the fused suture. It creates more volume for the growing brain and reshaped the skull into more normal configuration. No helmet application is needed after this surgery. However, the springs do require removal at about 4-6 months after placement. Research has shown this technique to be safe and effective way of treating craniosynostosis.

31/03/2025

The Kansas Cleft and Craniofacial Center is a multidisciplinary clinic certified by the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association. It is one of only two approved clinics in all of Kansas, providing much-needed services for children affected by cleft and craniofacial conditions in our state. ACPA certification means that our team has the necessary disciplines and the requisite experience needed to care for children with cleft and craniofacial conditions.

We see and treat children from birth to 18 years of age, as well care for adults affected by cleft and craniofacial conditions. We offer the full spectrum of surgical care, including minimally invasive approaches such as endoscopic and spring-assisted cranial procedures.

Our work, about us, our full team roster, and our before&after gallery is featured on our website. Link up above ⬆️.

We have two convenient locations in Kansas. One centrally located in Wichita and another in Hutchinson for our Western Kansas patients.

🏥 Welsey Medical Arts Tower
3243 E Murdock, Ste 100
Wichita, KS 67208
☎️ (316)260-1690
☎️(620)694-4444 for Hutchinson Clinic location
DM 📱 with questions

18/02/2025

Key Aspects of Cleft Palate Repair:
Dissection & Mobilization:
• The levator veli palatini muscles, which are abnormally attached to the hard palate in cleft patients, are carefully dissected from their aberrant insertions.
Reorientation of Muscles:
• The levator muscles are repositioned in a transverse orientation across the midline, restoring their natural sling-like configuration.
Layered Closure:
• Ensuring closure in multiple layers—nasal mucosa, muscle layer, and oral mucosa.
Velopharyngeal Function Improvement:
• Proper muscle repositioning helps prevent velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI), which can cause nasal air escape and speech difficulties.

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Opening Hours

Monday	08:00 - 16:30
Tuesday	08:00 - 16:30
Wednesday	08:00 - 16:30
Thursday	08:00 - 16:30
Friday	08:00 - 16:00

Website

https://kscleftcraniofacialcenter.com/

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The Wichita Cleft and Craniofacial Center at the Plastic Surgery Center

The Wichita Cleft & Craniofacial Team is a multi-disciplinary team of specialists for the treatment of complex congenital anomalies of the head and neck.

We are a dedicated team of professionals who have been serving the children of Kansas for over 30 years. We see patients from birth to adulthood, and we address any and all needs from feeding in the first days of life to final orthodontia. Our team includes a pediatric plastic surgeon, oral surgeon, otolaryngologist, orthodontist, speech pathologists, dental hygienist, audiologist, social worker, and nurse coordinator.

And now, we are very proud to announce that our team is certified by the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association and Cleft Palate Foundation, a nation accrediting agency.