About Cleft

Cleft Research

Operation Smile conducts impactful research to enhance both surgical and nonsurgical care for patients and families.

Ensuring a Lasting Impact

Our focus is on improving quality of life through evidence-based programs and influencing global health systems and policies.

Our research spans various areas, from cleft-specific care to broader surgical topics like epidemiology, genetics, outcomes, leadership, and education. We aim to understand the causes of cleft lip and palate to develop preventive measures for future generations, ensuring a lasting impact on cleft care.

Explore Research Collaborated with or Conducted by our Global Operation Smile Team

BMC Nutrition – 2023

The effect of short-term preoperative nutritional intervention for cleft surgery eligibility

Authors: Mikhail S, Chattopadhyay L, DiBona M, Steppling C, Kwadjo D, Ramamonjisoa A, Gallardo W, Almendarez F, Sylvester B, Rosales S, Nthalika I, Collier ZJ, Magee W 3rd, Auslander A.

The Journal of Child Life – 2021

Exploring Life Role and Impact of Providing Psychosocial Care During Short-Term Medical Missions

Authors: Desai, P. P., Brock, E.B., Didericksen, K. W., Olsson, J. M.

The Lancet Global Health – 2021

Short-term preoperative nutritional intervention for cleft lip and/or palate surgery eligibility: an effectiveness evaluation in six countries

Authors: Said, S., Chattopadhyay, L., DiBona, M., Steppling, C., Kwadjo, D., Ramamonjisoa, M., Gallardo, W., Almendarez, F., Rosales, S., Nthalika, Ibrahim., Magee, W., & Auslander, A.