Provide free surgical correction to children with cleft lip and palate malformation.
Children with cleft lip and palate malformation. Surgical correction is life-changing for these children.
Life changing. Also, humanitarian volunteerism will have a profound impact on those who are willing to participate.
This trip was to operate on children with cleft lip and palate defect with a combined team of American, British, and Mexican surgeons. We operated on 25 patients, including some young adults who were in need of revision surgery. All patients are recovering well. We also participated in an international symposium on surgical techniques, in both English and Spanish. The most emotional presentation was by a former patient, now employed by Austin Smiles, who described the emotional trauma inflicted on cleft patients, especially during adolescence. She also gave a presentation on the various emotional support programs sponsored by Austin Smiles. On some trips with more operating teams, we operate on more patients, but on this one we formed a bond with the Mexican team that I expect will endure.
