Unilateral cleft lip repair of a 15-month-old boy done by Dr. S. M. Balaji.

A preoperative view of the patient's cleft lip

Dr. Balaji being assisted by Dr. Preetha Balaji while performing the surgery at Balaji Dental and Craniofacial Hospital, Chennai

A view of Dr. Balaji operating on the patient at Balaji Dental and Craniofacial Hospital, Chennai

A close up postoperative view of the patient's cleft lip operated by Dr. S. M. Balaji on the sixth day

Postoperative view of the patient's left-sided cleft lip

A view of the audience engrossed in the live demonstration surgery in the conference hall at Balaji Dental and Craniofacial Hospital

Dr. Balaji discussing the surgery with renowned craniofacial surgeon Dr. Kenneth Salyer, President, ICPF, Founder & Chairman, World Craniofacial Foundation, Texas, USA

Dr. Balaji answering queries about the surgery raised by the audience in the conference hall at Balaji Dental and Craniofacial Hospital

Dr. Balaji in discussion with eminent craniofacial surgeons Prof. GE Ghali, Chancellor & Dean, LSU Health Sciences Center, Gamble Professor & Chairman, Louisiana, USA and Prof. Daniel Laskin, Chairman Emeritus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia, USA

A view of the audience that had come from all parts of the globe seated in the conference hall at Balaji Dental and Craniofacial Hospital

The audience engrossed in Dr. Balaji's postsurgical lecture in the conference hall at Balaji Dental and Craniofacial Hospital

With Prof. K.K. Raja, HOD, SRM Dental College who referred the baby for surgery

This is a 15-month-old boy who was referred by Dr. K. K. Raja, Head of the Department, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, SRM Dental College and Hospital to Dr. S. M. Balaji for the purpose of demonstrating a cleft lip repair as part of the preconference live surgical demonstration of the 10th World Cleft Lip, Palate, and Craniofacial Congress. Oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. S. M. Balaji decided to proceed with a modified Millard Noordhoff left-sided cleft lip repair.  This was performed at Balaji Dental and Craniofacial Hospital, Chennai.
This surgery was done to rehabilitate him and help him feed normally as good nutrition is extremely essential for an actively growing little child to develop normally in all parameters. From the aesthetic point of view also, the importance of this surgery is paramount as it would enable him to interact well with his peers as well as other older individuals.
The surgery was a complete success.  The scar that resulted from this was negligible and his parents expressed their appreciation of how Dr. S. M. Balaji was helping in transforming his life for the better.