Pediatric Plastic Surgery—Clefts

Cleft lip and palate (CLP) are some of the more challenging deformities that a pediatric plastic surgeon can face. Affecting more than 1 in 2000 births, CLP patients represent the bulk of a craniofacial surgeon's practice. In addition to the primary repair, these patients often require multiple surgeries throughout their childhood and adolescence to correct associated deformities of the nose and dental arch. Multiple techniques exist for repair of these defects and the anomalies associated with CLP. Surgeon preference and experience are the predominant factors that guide surgical management. It is our goal to give readers a critical and scientific overview of the principles and management of pediatric clefts and their associated deformities.

We would like to thank the guest authors for their contributions to this journal. As a result of their tireless work, the articles addressing cleft lip and palate in the pediatric population presented in this issue are both relevant and current. It is our hope that readers will gain insight into the issues facing the plastic surgeon and this unique patient population.