Cleft lip and palate surgery in La Ceiba, Honduras.

The volume of experience in the surgical repair of cleft lip and palate deformities is limited in many areas of the United States. This deficit in experience exists not only for those in resident training programs but also for those who practice at universities or are in private practice. Physicians are performing too few operations to maintain their surgical skills in cleft lip and palate surgery. This deficit is also encountered by physicians in the major specialties of plastic surgery, oral surgery, and otolaryngology who perform cleft lip and palate surgery. Physicians from the United States can gain surgical experience in other countries through groups like the Medical Group Mission Christian Medical and Dental Society. Surgical experience is available in Central and South America, India, China, and Africa through similar organizations. The complexity of providing service to under-privileged people through organizations such as the Medical Group Mission Christian Medical and Dental Society is described.