Cleft nasal deformity is the term used to describe the characteristic changes in the appearance of the nose that occur due to cleft lip and palate.

What is a cleft nose?

A cleft nasal deformity is typically associated with cleft lip and palate. The affected side of the nose is widened and flattened due to displacement of the nasal cartilages. The goals of cleft nasal surgery are to re-establish normal nasal tip projection, align the nares and position of the nasal base.

How rare is a cleft nose?

Clefts are formed in utero when normal development of a baby's head and neck are disrupted and parts of the face fail to fuse together, creating facial and/or cranial differences. Rare craniofacial clefts occur in about 1 in every 150,000 births.