Cleft Lip Surgery in Korea — Cost, Methods, Benefits & Risks (2026)

Guide

What is Cleft Lip Surgery?

Cleft lip surgery is a procedure to correct a physical defect caused by a cleft lip. A cleft lip is a physical split or separation of the upper lip and appears as a narrow opening or gap in the skin of the upper lip. It also contains an opening in the upper lip that may extend to the philtrum as well as into the nose depending on the severity of the condition. Fortunately, cleft lip is treatable through cosmetic plastic surgery techniques to improve and restore normal appearance as well as function. It is also very important to correct these conditions to prevent future problems with nursing, feeding, or speech.

Guide

Who needs cleft lip surgery?

Since cleft lip is a birth defect, most kids can have surgery to repair them within the first year two of life. This is considered as a primary surgery. While the person who had primary surgery is growing up, there is a growth rate difference between the surgical site and the normal part of the body. This can cause the scarring or deformity of nose, lip and philtrum. In this case, scar removal is needed as the secondary surgery. Also, someone who may have nose deformation due to cleft lip needs to be corrected with both cleft surgery and nose correction surgery called rhinoplasty.

Guide

Surgery Procedure Information

Cleft lip surgery is a surgery to fix a cleft lip by closing the separation in one or both sides of the upper lip. It is done under general anesthesia. The incision, the type of method, and price is decided depending on the severity of the cleft lip condition. The surgeon will trim the tissues and sew the lip together. To restore the distorted shape, autologous tissue grafting can be done to improve the volume of the lip. If the thickness and ratio of the upper lip to the lower lips should be to be matched, mucosal transfer or tissue grafting can be performed to fill the space. The stitches will be very small so that the scar is as small as possible. It usually leaves the minimal scarring after primary surgery. In this case, all the deep and widened scar from primary surgery is removed and delicately suture the opened muscle. The philtrum bone grafting or rhinoplasty can be done together to create more natural result.

Cleft Lip Surgery in Korea costs about USD $3,000–$8,000 in 2026, often 30–50% less than the US or back home. The final price varies by case and clinic — get a free quote.

Most international patients plan a short trip covering consultation, the procedure and aftercare. Your MISOODA care manager confirms the schedule before you arrive.

Yes. MISOODA works only with government-registered, board-certified, malpractice-insured Gangnam clinics — no ghost doctors.

Yes. You pay the same price as locals with no foreigner markup, plus a free 1:1 care manager and an all-in quote.