Cleft Lip & Palate Surgery

For parents, learning that your new family member has a cleft lip and/or palate can be an overwhelming experience. Early intervention is important, as is the need to be treated by a specialized surgeon as part of a multispecialty team.

Dr. Stelnicki is considered a leader in the field of cleft lip, nose, and palate surgeries. He completed dedicated fellowship training in the field of pediatric craniofacial reconstruction. He has been caring for children with these problems for almost two decades and has completed thousands of procedures.

Dr. Stelnicki was also the founding surgeon who pioneered the Cleft and Craniofacial Center multidisciplinary team at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital in South Florida. The Children's Plastic Surgery Institute of Florida doctors and Dr. Stelnicki continue to be active within a number of craniofacial multidisciplinary teams throughout Broward County.

The team at the Children's Plastic Surgery Institute of Florida is dedicated to being a trusted source of knowledge and expertise, and a true advocate for your child. For some examples of Dr. Stelnicki's work, view some before and after pictures.

Cleft lip and palate are among the most common birth defects in the United States. The incomplete formation of the upper lip (cleft lip) or roof of the mouth (cleft palate) can occur individually, or both defects may occur together. The conditions can vary in severity and may involve one or both sides of the face.

For more details, download our handout about cleft lip, cleft palate, and cleft nasal repair. Dr. Stelnicki also performs secondary cleft lip, cleft palate, rhinoplasty, and VPI procedures (velopharyngeal insufficiency). These include:

• Fat grafting to the lip
• Palate fistula repairs
• Pharyngeal flap
• Posterior wall augmentation
• Spinchteroplasty
• Bone grafting (alloplastic/autologous)

Contact Dr. Stelnicki, a Leader in the Field of Cleft Lip, Nose, & Palate Surgeries

If you’re expecting, or you have a baby that has been diagnosed with a cleft lip or palate, you can begin preparing immediately with Dr. Stelnicki. Request an appointment online at one of our convenient South Florida locations or call (954) 880-1133 today.