Name: Nicholas “Nico”Child with his MotherReconstructive Procedure: Cleft LipNico Omeechevarria is a healthy, normal six year old boy who is an avid swimmer and plays soccer and tennis thanks to his loving family and his ASPS Member Surgeon. However, when Nico was born, he was slightly different than most babies. He was born with a left incomplete cleft lip – a separation of the upper lip – as well as deformity of the nose and a notch in his alveolus – the bony part of the upper gums where teeth grow.
Nico’s mother, Ivanna, never gave one thought to plastic surgery until she learned her son would be born with a cleft lip. When prenatal tests showed that Nico had a cleft lip, his parents were overcome with shock and fear because they had never before heard of this condition. Once they got over the initial shock, they needed to find a doctor that could correct Nico’s condition. They never thought a plastic surgeon would be the doctor performing the surgery. However, after speaking with friends and physicians, they came upon the plastic surgeon that they knew was “the one,” and that person was an ASPS Member Surgeon. The ASPS Member Surgeon they chose spoke to the parents in a comforting manner, let them know the condition was fixable and that 1 in 800 babies are born with a cleft lip, so the procedure would be routine. In fact, ASPS Member Surgeons performed 31,552 birth defect reconstruction procedures in 2004.
Nico underwent surgery when he was 10 weeks old, and the surgery was successful. However, the family soon learned that they were in for a long partnership with their ASPS Member Surgeon because future surgeries will be necessary as Nico grows. Now that he’s six, Nico will have follow-up surgery on his lip. As Nico develops, he will likely need nasal surgery to correct a deviated septum, and he may need a bone graft in his alveolus if his teeth don’t grow properly. Otherwise, Nico will continue to live his happy, healthy life with his loving family.
ASPS Member Surgeons note that prenatal testing is critical for the families and their doctor to be able to address any birth irregularities. The earlier families can get information, the better.
Ivanna tells other parents in her shoes, “Don’t panic. Plastic surgery can fix your child’s condition. Plastic surgery gave Nico a chance to be within the realms of what society calls normal.” Learn more about Cleft Lip and Palate Surgery |
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“Don’t panic. Plastic surgery can fix your child’s condition. Plastic surgery gave Nico a chance to be within the realms of what society calls normal." |
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