Give your child the best possible start with cleft lip repair in Lahore — performed by Dr. Farhan Gohar, a Consultant Plastic, Reconstructive, and Cleft Surgeon with 15+ years of experience in specialized pediatric cleft care.
Cleft lip repair is a surgical procedure that corrects a cleft lip, a congenital condition where the tissue forming the upper lip does not fully join together during early pregnancy, leaving a gap or split. Surgery closes this gap, reconstructs the muscle layer beneath the lip, and reshapes the lip and nostril to restore a natural appearance and normal lip function.
It’s important to understand that cleft lip can range from a small notch to a complete separation extending into the nose, and it may occur alone or alongside a cleft palate. Every case is different, which is why an individualized surgical plan matters more than a standardized approach.
At Azar Plast, cleft lip repair in Lahore is performed by Dr. Farhan Gohar, a Consultant Plastic, Reconstructive, and Cleft Surgeon with over 15 years of surgical experience in pediatric plastic and cleft surgery. Every treatment plan starts with an in-person consultation and assessment of the cleft type, the child’s general health, and feeding status, because timing, technique, and any staged procedures differ from case to case. The focus throughout is on restoring natural lip function and appearance while supporting the family through every stage of care.
Depending on the type and extent of the cleft, and the consultation findings, cleft lip repair can be performed using different approaches:
One of the most widely used methods for repairing unilateral (one-sided) cleft lip, designed to restore natural lip contour, philtrum shape, and nostril symmetry with a well-concealed scar line.
A different approach is used when the cleft affects both sides of the lip, often requiring careful planning of the central lip segment (prolabium) and may involve staged procedures for the best long-term result.
Some children benefit from a secondary or revision procedure later in childhood to refine scarring, lip symmetry, or nasal shape as the face continues to grow.
Your surgeon will recommend the right technique and timing for your child’s case at consultation — not every case follows the same plan.
Your surgeon evaluates the cleft type, the child's growth and feeding status, and overall health, and discusses the timing and plan for surgery with the family.
General anesthesia is administered, appropriate for the child's age and weight, under close monitoring throughout.
The lip tissue and underlying muscle layer are carefully repositioned and repaired to restore normal shape and lip movement.
The nostril and lip contour are refined at the same time, since the nose and lip are closely connected in cleft repair.
Incisions are closed with fine sutures to minimize scarring, and the family is guided on feeding, arm restraints, and wound care during early healing.
When performed by a qualified, experienced cleft surgeon in an appropriate surgical facility, cleft lip repair is a well-established and generally safe procedure, performed on infants and children worldwide every year. Like any surgery, it carries risks — bleeding, infection, scarring, or anesthesia-related reactions in a young child — which is why careful pre-operative health assessment and surgical planning matter greatly.
A timing principle worth knowing as you research: cleft lip repair is typically performed around 3 to 6 months of age, once the baby meets specific weight and health criteria, though exact timing is individualized. Waiting for the right window, rather than rushing surgery, is part of safe cleft care. This is something Dr. Farhan Gohar will assess and explain clearly for your child’s specific case.
Because general anesthesia is used, the baby feels nothing during the procedure itself. In recovery, mild discomfort and swelling around the lip are normal and are managed with pediatric pain medication and close nursing care. Most infants resume feeding, with modified techniques as advised, within a short period after surgery, and discomfort settles significantly within the first week.
A child is typically ready for cleft lip repair when they:
The only reliable way to confirm readiness for surgery is an in-person consultation and assessment.
Recovery after cleft lip repair varies by child. Here's a general guide to what families may expect during the healing process.
Close monitoring, arm restraints to protect the repair, and guided feeding support; mild swelling and redness at the incision are normal.
Sutures dissolve or are removed as advised; the incision line continues to settle and lighten.
The scar continues to fade and soften as it matures; lip movement and symmetry become clearer.
Growth is monitored over time, with some children benefiting from a minor revision procedure later in childhood.
Healing pace varies by child and by the extent of the original cleft.
Results vary based on the type and extent of the cleft, the child’s individual anatomy, and growth over time.
Cleft lip repair cost in Pakistan is not a single fixed number — it depends on:
Unilateral repairs differ in complexity from bilateral repairs
as well as the lip, requiring additional planning
for a pediatric patient
is anticipated later in childhood
As a general market reference, cleft lip repair cost in Pakistan varies depending on the case, and many families explore hospital packages, charitable cleft programs, or insurance support alongside private surgical fees. These figures are general market context, not a quote — the actual cost for your child can only be confirmed after Dr. Farhan Gohar assesses the cleft in person.
Book a Consultation
Dr. Farhan Gohar is a Consultant Plastic, Reconstructive, and Cleft Surgeon with 15+ years of surgical experience, including specialized pediatric cleft care.
Technique and timing planned around your child's specific cleft type and growth, not a standardized package.
Clear guidance for families through consultation, surgery, and long-term follow-up.
Consult and receive treatment at Azar Plast Clinic, located in the heart of Gulberg III, Lahore.
Cleft lip repair is a surgical procedure that closes the gap in an infant's upper lip caused by a congenital cleft, reconstructing the muscle and reshaping the lip and nostril to restore natural appearance and function.
Cleft lip repair is a well-established pediatric procedure that is generally safe when performed by a qualified, experienced cleft surgeon in a proper surgical setting with careful anesthesia monitoring. As with any surgery on an infant, a thorough pre-operative health assessment is essential.
Cleft lip repair is typically performed around 3 to 6 months of age, once the baby meets specific weight and health criteria, though exact timing is individualized to each child.
The baby feels nothing during the procedure itself, since general anesthesia is used. In recovery, mild discomfort and swelling are managed with pediatric pain medication, and most infants resume feeding within a short period.
Cleft lip repair cost in Pakistan depends on the type and extent of the cleft, whether the palate is also involved, and hospital and anesthesia requirements. Because of this variation, an accurate cost estimate can only be provided after an in-person consultation with Dr. Farhan Gohar.
Guided by both surgical precision and a refined sense of aesthetics, Dr. Gohar’s approach balances function, form, and compassion ensuring individualized, high-quality care for every patient.
Dr. Farhan Gohar is a highly specialized Consultant Plastic, Reconstructive, and Cleft Surgeon with over 15 years of surgical experience. He practices privately at AZAR Plastic Surgery Clinic, offering a wide range of cosmetic, reconstructive, and pediatric plastic surgery services. He is offering a variety of services regarding facial aesthetics and body contouring.
Ready to discuss whether cleft lip repair is right for you? Book a consultation with Dr. Farhan Gohar in Lahore, or message us on WhatsApp to ask a question first.
