Wonder Monday: Lip care is growing for the Spokane community

May 17, 2021, 11:37 a.m.

Emily flower

Posted: May 17, 2021 11:37 am

SPOKANE, Wash. – Children born with forked lips have an average of 12 surgeries in 18 years. It is those who are connected to a team of specialists in treatment during this period who will get the best results. Until recently, Spokane didn’t offer that.

These specialized teams include general practitioners, social work, orthodontics, dentistry, audiology and ENT. This team accompanies the patient from the time the column is identified until adulthood, when treatment is usually complete. Now, thanks to a local surgeon urging, Spokane can offer just that to families of people born with a cleft lip.

“I felt so lost. I was scared I felt alone because I had never met anyone who had been through anything like this, ”said Christina Allen, whose son was born with a cleft lip. About the middle of her second pregnancy, Christina Allen found out that her young boy had a cleft lip. She explained, “Terrifying, scary, the unknown, you don’t know. Throughout my pregnancy, I just thought, ‘What is he going to look like? How heavy is this? What will his trip be? ‘”

The entire Sacred Heart team was there to help her every step of the way. Allen said, “They’re all so knowledgeable, caring, they know what they’re doing, they know what they’re talking about, and they really only provide peace of mind for parents going through this.” Cameron’s treatment will last for years and that support will only increase.

Dr. Gailey is the surgical director of the Spokane Maxillofacial Cleft Team, which has just been acquired by Providence Children’s Hospital. Established about two months ago, the team consists of dentists, orthodontists, speech pathologists, and doctors who all work together to get these kids to a working outcome. Dr. Gailey explained, “The Column Team helps parents overcome some of the hurdles they may not even know exist.”

Care is complex, from the therapist to the surgeon. This team simplifies the process by bringing the patient to a central location with all the specialists they need in one place. Dr. Gailey explained, “The parents almost have a roadmap. Okay, that’s the next step I should be looking for. How do I prepare myself, my family and my child for the next step? “

Proper order of treatments and assessments is critical to the success of a child’s medical, developmental, and emotional needs. Now that Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital has a split team, children can stay close to home for quality and consistent care. Instead of patients having to go to different appointments, parents can bring their child to a whole team in one central location, which simplifies everything.

Dr. Gailey said several studies show the benefits of cleavage results for patients who have this type of team care. “What it really does brings us to the standard of the rest of the nation where we can provide the surgical and medical treatments for these children.”

Cameron has had many treatments and two surgeries so far. He is doing so well, his mother said, that most people would never know what struggles he has been through or what path he will face. By having access to vendors to take care of it, they know they can handle the challenges ahead.

Donations to the Children’s Miracle Network help fund new programs and services like these.

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