Patient Stories > Billy Humphries

Before Billy Humphries was born, his examinations in utero gave no indication of any problems. But when he was delivered in March of 2004, it was immediately apparent that Billy suffered from a cleft lip and palate.

A cleft lip and palate occurs when the tissue of the upper jaw, nose, and mouth don`t fuse together properly leaving an opening in the palate and the lip.

Mary Humphries, Billy's grandmother, took him to the Cleft Lip and Palate Team at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children. Once Billy reached a sufficient weight, the team began the process of repair. Pediatric dentists implanted an orthopedic appliance to help bring the segments of Billy's upper arch together while plastic surgeons formed Billy's missing nostril, closed his lip, and worked on his palate.

The work of the surgeons amazed Mary, who claimed people would look at pictures of Billy and think they were looking at baby pictures of his father. She was very impressed doctors were able restore the resemblance.

Billy underwent several more minor oral surgeries and had a palatal flap surgery, a major procedure, in 2006. Billy, now 7 years old, is a first grader who excels in math. He loves playing baseball and having his father as his coach.

For more information on the Cleft Lip and Palate Team at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, please call 215-427-5191.