The Kapiʻolani Cleft and Craniofacial Center (KCCC) is the major referral center in Hawaiʻi for cleft and craniofacial related problems. Not only do we treat the majority of children with cleft and craniofacial related conditions in the state, but children travel from Guam, American Samoa and Micronesia to receive care at Kapiʻolani.

Kapiʻolani Cleft and Craniofacial Center is one of the approved American Cleft and Craniofacial Association teams, which provides a standard for team care. It is widely known that children born with clefts and craniofacial conditions are best managed by a multidisciplinary team to provide complex and specialized care in a coordinated team environment. Our experienced team of surgeons and providers at the Kapiʻolani Cleft and Craniofacial Center individualizes current and long term treatment plans for each child. 

The mission of the Kapiʻolani Cleft and Craniofacial Center is to provide each child born with a cleft or craniofacial condition with exemplary family centered care so that he/she will have the same opportunities in life as any other child.  

We treat cleft and craniofacial conditions of the head and face including but not limited to conditions such as a cleft lip, cleft palate, craniosynostosis and microtia.

A cleft lip is a separation in the upper lip and cleft palate is a hole in the roof of the mouth. They are some of the most common birth anomalies found in the United States.

Craniosynostosis is a condition in which the bones of the baby’s head fuse too early. This condition requires management and treatment by a Craniofacial surgeon.

Microtia is the underdevelopment of the ear and atresia is the underdevelopment of the ear canal which can cause hearing problems.

While clefts are the most common type, various other conditions can occur. Conditions treated at Kapiʻolani include:

• Cleft lip and cleft palate
• Pierre Robin Sequence
• 22q11.2 deletion syndrome
• Craniosynostosis
• Crouzon Syndrome
• Apert Syndrome
• Hemifacial Microsomia/Goldenhar
• Microtia
• Treacher Collins
• Pfeiffer Syndrome
• Plagiocephaly
• Other conditions

Employing a multidisciplinary approach, the dedicated team of specialists works to provide a comprehensive plan of care for the long-term health of each child. A team-based multidisciplinary approach is the best way to recognize and treat the full spectrum of challenges associated with cleft and craniofacial conditions, including dental, hearing, speech and psychosocial concerns.

Members of the Kapiolani Cleft and Craniofacial Team include:

• Audiologist
• Craniofacial surgeon
• Genetics Team – geneticist and/or genetic counselor
• Occupational therapist
• Oral surgeon
• Orthodontist
• Speech pathologist
• Pediatric dentist
• Plastic surgeon
• Pediatrics Team – pediatricians and pediatric nurse practitioner
• Behavioral health nurse practitioner
• Social Worker

By Referral:

• Otolaryngologist (ENT)
• Ophthalmologist
• Dietitian
• Pulmonologist
• Neurosurgeon

Your child’s primary physician can make a referral to KCCC before your baby leaves the hospital or after discharge. This should be done by contacting Kapiʻolani Cleft and Craniofacial Center (KCCC) at (808) 983-8500, option 1. Neighbor island residents may call toll free at (866) 928-7927. 

Patients are seen in the Multidisciplinary Clinics on the 3rd floor of the Diamond Head Tower. These visits can take between 2-4 hours. During the team appointment, your child will see specific specialists. There may be team members who do not examine your child at every visit but who still offer expert consultation or advice during the team conference. The benefit of arranging a team visit is that a patient will be provided with a comprehensive, coordinated care plan in one visit rather than multiple visits with different providers.

Parents and the child’s primary physician will receive a copy of the team report and plan of care. Parents are encouraged to discuss the plan with their child’s doctor.

At the Kapiʻolani Cleft and Craniofacial Center (KCCC), our goal is to implement a specialized care plan for each child with a cleft or craniofacial condition. We are here to assist with timely appointments and ongoing coordination of care until each child reaches young adulthood.

Your child’s primary care physician can make a referral to the center before your baby leaves the medical center or after discharge. This should be done by contacting Kapiʻolani Cleft and Craniofacial Center at 808-983-8500, option 1. Neighbor island residents may call toll-free at 866-928-7927.