Cleft lip and/or cleft palate is one of the most
common congenital abnormalities in the world; in the United States alone, it is
estimated that 1 in 700 births results in clefting of the lip and/or palate. 1
in 1,700 babies is born with cleft palate alone. 1 in 2,800 babies is born with
cleft lip alone, and 1 in 1,600 are born with both. Despite their prevalence,
repairing these defects properly requires the expertise of a doctor who’s been
trained in reconstructive surgery of the face—and this is where The
American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) comes
in. Here in the United States, patients have access to this esteemed group of
facial plastic and reconstructive surgeons in addition to interdisciplinary
teams designed to ensure patients live full and productive lives. However, “in
less developed countries, patients simply don’t have access to this kind of
team care,” says Dr.
Sherard A. Tatum, a facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon and AAFPRS
president. “Individuals can perform the surgery, but there is often a lack of
coordination among the cleft surgeon and other specialists, including speech
therapists, orthodontics, and audiologists.”
Left uncorrected, cleft lip and cleft palate can
result in feeding difficulties, ear infections and hearing loss, dental
problems, severe speech difficulties, and an increased risk of both infant and
child mortality. Patients’ mental health is often impacted as well, as children
who struggle with self-confidence as a result of their deformities often
develop anxiety and depression in adolescence and adulthood.
To say that surgery to correct cleft lip and
palate is life-changing is truly an understatement—and to ensure patients in
developing countries have access to this important healthcare, the Educational
and Research Foundation for the American Academy of Facial Plastic and
Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS Foundation) established
its nonprofit, AAFPRS FACE
TO FACE International Program, a humanitarian and
educational surgical exchange program, in 1992. Over the last 30-plus years,
AAFPRS member surgeons have engaged in this vital, life-altering pro bono work
in many diverse areas around the globe. And in 2014, the AAFPRS Foundation also
developed and implemented our AAFPRS FACE TO FACE Database to enable the AAFPRS
Foundation to better track its humanitarian programs activity, to assist in the
care (and follow-up care) being provided, and to allow for data to be collected
and analyzed to enhance such surgical activities, while allowing for research
in this arena. Since the database has started collecting such important
information in 2014, AAFPRS member surgeons have provided more than 4,000
life-changing, pro bono reconstructive cleft lip and palate surgeries to
patients in Peru, Vietnam, Colombia, India, China, Cambodia, Haiti, Tanzania,
Guatemala, Ethiopia and Ecuador—surgeries that make it possible for infants and
children who are otherwise unable to eat, speak, and even smile properly to
live full and productive lives.
For Dr. Tatum, a renowned reconstructive surgery
specialist, the opportunity to work with AAFPRS FACE TO FACE is what drives him
as a surgeon: "I’ve been involved with humanitarian work like this for
over 30 years, so I’ve had the privilege of seeing patients grow up into happy
and fulfilled adults. The impact the team has on this process is priceless;
there’s truly nothing better than seeing tears of joy in a mom’s eyes when she
sees her baby for the first time after surgery."
Today, more than 30 years into this incredible
endeavor, AAFPRS FACE TO FACE continues to grow. To maximize impact and ensure
sustainability, AAFPRS FACE TO FACE surgeons collaborate with international
organizations, NGOs, and local governments to offer on-the-ground educational
programs and training sessions. Ultimately, by pooling resources and expertise;
empowering local medical communities to independently address cleft palate
cases; and making the most of technological advances within the field, the AAFPRS
Foundation and AAFPRS member surgeons aim to create a united front against the
challenges posed by cleft palate and related conditions.
“Thanks to the dedication of teams willing to
donate their time to go on these missions and donations from sponsors, AAFPRS
FACE TO FACE is able to deliver this care and teaching to an ever-increasing
number of needy sites,” says Tatum.
To learn more about the AAFPRS Foundation’s FACE
TO FACE humanitarian programs, click here.
ABOUT THE
AAFPRS:
The American Academy of Facial Plastic and
Reconstructive Surgery is the world’s largest specialty association for facial
plastic surgery. It represents more than 2,200 facial plastic and
reconstructive surgeons throughout the world. The AAFPRS is a National Medical
Specialty Society of the American Medical Association (AMA) and holds an
official seat in both the AMA House of Delegates and the American College of
Surgeons board of governors. AAFPRS members are board certified surgeons whose
focus is surgery of the face, head, and neck (inclusive of Rhinoplasty and
Facial Rejuvenation). More information at www.FaceMD.org
Connect
with us:
Patty Mathews: Patty@kelzmedia.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AAFPRS
Twitter & Instagram: @AAFPRS