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Monday 8am - 4:30pm Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm Thursday 8am - 4:30pm Friday 8am - 4pm

Kansas Cleft and Craniofacial Center

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Wichita, KS
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.

08/25/2025

This little boy and his parents are true WARRIORS! He was born with campomelic skeletal dysplasia, a very rare often-fatal disease that limits most children’s lifespan to several months only.

Part of this disease includes features of Pierre Robin sequence, namely small lower jaw and blockage of breathing due to this. Not giving up, his parents opted for surgery to give him a chance at coming off the ventilator and going home. He underwent a mandibular distraction to lengthen his lower jaw, allow him to breathe without a tracheostomy and go home. He’s successfully home without any supplementary oxygen.

Since being home, he’s growing, gaining weight and, more recently, has been cleared to eat foods by mouth! He’s definitely defied expectations and amazed everyone he meets! 🌟

08/19/2025

This little boy is 8 months out from a very wide bilateral cleft lip repair. Although skin markings and approximation are critical, can’t over-emphasize the importance of a solid floor of the nose and muscle repair.

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!

08/11/2025

Finding a cleft and craniofacial team you can trust is important because these conditions often require specialized, coordinated care over many years—sometimes from infancy into adulthood.

Here’s why trust is essential:

⸻

1. Long-Term Relationship
• Cleft lip, palate, and craniofacial differences aren’t “one-and-done” problems—care often involves multiple stages (surgery, speech therapy, orthodontics, etc.).
• You’ll be seeing the same team for years, so mutual trust helps you feel confident in each decision.

2. Coordinated Expertise
• A trusted team brings together surgeons, orthodontists, speech-language pathologists, audiologists, psychologists, and more.
• Good teamwork ensures treatments are timed and sequenced properly for the best outcomes.

3. Consistent, Evidence-Based Care
• Trust means you can rely on their recommendations to be grounded in the latest research and tailored to your child’s unique needs.

4. Emotional Support
• These journeys can be emotionally taxing. A team you trust will not only care for the medical side, but also help support your family’s well-being.

5. Advocacy & Guidance
• Trusted providers can guide you through school accommodations, insurance issues, and community resources, making sure your child has the support they need beyond the clinic.

08/04/2025

In a cleft lip, several key anatomical structures of the upper lip and nose are disrupted. The extent of disruption depends on whether the cleft is unilateral or bilateral, complete or incomplete. Here’s a breakdown of the main affected structures:

⸻

🔹 1. Skin and Vermilion (Lip Red)
• The skin and red part of the lip (vermilion) are visibly separated.
• The Cupid’s bow is distorted or absent on the cleft side.
• The philtral column (vertical ridge from nose to lip) is often interrupted.

⸻

🔹 2. Orbicularis Oris Muscle
• This is the main muscle of the lip, responsible for lip movement and function.
• In a cleft lip, the muscle fibers are misaligned or discontinuous, failing to form a complete ring around the mouth.
• This leads to poor muscle function and contributes to lip asymmetry and reduced strength.

⸻

🔹 3. Nasal Structures
• The base of the nose on the cleft side is typically widened and flattened.
• The lower lateral nasal cartilage may be displaced or underdeveloped, affecting nostril shape.
• The columella (central tissue between nostrils) may be shortened or deviated, especially in bilateral clefts.

⸻

🔹 4. Mucosa (Inner Lining)
• The inner lining of the lip is also cleft, exposing the oral cavity to the external environment.

⸻

🔹 5. Alveolus and Hard Palate (if cleft extends)
• In complete cleft lip, the cleft may extend into the alveolar ridge (gum line) and hard palate.
• This disrupts the continuity of the dental arch and can affect tooth eruption and alignment.

⸻

07/01/2025

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.

06/11/2025

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!

06/03/2025

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.

05/26/2025

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!

05/19/2025

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.

05/12/2025

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

05/08/2025

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

04/28/2025

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.

Address

1861 N Webb Road
Wichita, KS
67206

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday	8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday	8am - 4:30pm
Thursday	8am - 4:30pm
Friday	8am - 4pm

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.