Cleft lip is a congenital defect that takes its name from a comparison with hares.
Cleft lip is a congenital defect that develops in the first three months of pregnancy , when one side of the upper lip grows unbalanced. In this way, a fissure or division occurs in the upper lip, which takes on an appearance similar to the lip of a hare (hence its name, since leporino comes from the Latin word leporinus ).
Also known as cleft lip , cleft lip is among the most common congenital defects, representing almost 15% of this type of malformations. Experts believe that various external factors (from the environment) prompt a gene reaction, something that alters the normal development of the lip and palate. Vitamin deficiency and certain drugs can also affect the appearance of cleft lip.
Cleft lip surgery
Surgery to treat this problem is considered one of the greatest challenges in plastic surgery . The surgeon must choose the technique that he considers most appropriate, according to his experience. Generally, operations that involve adding tissue to the midline are avoided due to the scarring they leave and the unwanted characteristics that the lips acquire over time.
It should be noted that many times a patient may need several surgeries throughout their life. Therefore, in the case of children, it is important that the doctor explain in detail what the characteristics of the pathology are, how many operations would be necessary to complete their treatment and that he advise the family about the most appropriate type of diet .
Cleft lip develops during pregnancy.
Differences with lip microshape
The cleft lip is often confused with what is called lip microform , since its appearance is similar to that of people who have undergone surgery to treat the aforementioned malformation. However, this type of cleft lip is so rare that only 1% of all patients with a case of cleft lip present it . Its main characteristics are an alteration in the limit of Cupid's bow (the edge of the upper lip that has undulations similar to those of a bow), grooves and malformation of the lower part of the nose.
This congenital scar can be unilateral or bilateral , with the first case being more common. Additionally, it may or may not be symmetrical , although asymmetry is more common. Since it is a mild cleft that does not compromise the palate , unlike cleft lip, in most cases patients wait many years before making a medical consultation about it and some never do.
Cleft lip and other malformations in celebrities
The case of cleft lip is, along with facial scars, one of the "defects" that first come to light in internationally famous artists. Although photographs are usually retouched, with the purpose of hiding any imperfections and giving the stars a bit of that youth that will never return, the increasing resolution of cameras is the worst enemy of those small details that they want to hide . But it is perhaps the best ally of those who look at these portraits from their spectator's seat, because it reminds them that perfection does not exist and that, if it did exist, it would not be related to success .
Many stars who are considered models of beauty , both female and male, have malformations and do not seem to worry about them being detected by their admirers. This is the case of Viggo Mortensen , for example, who has a scar on his upper lip, the result of an intervention to correct a cleft cleft. Also Halle Berry , who was declared the sexiest woman in the world in 2008, appears very calm in sandals, despite having a sixth toe on one of her feet (a phenomenon known as polydactylism ).