Insights in Primary and Secondary Cleft Lip andNose repair: A Hands-On Dissection Course
12-13 November 2025
Welcome to the 6th International Dutch Cleft Course: Advancing Expertise in Cleft Lip & Nose Repair
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We are delighted to invite you to the sixth edition of the International Dutch Cleft Course—an engaging and interactive program dedicated to advancing surgical expertise in cleft lip and nasal reconstruction. This year marks a special milestone, as it is the first collaboration between the renowned Esser Course in Rotterdam and the Utrecht Cleft Course, uniting two centers of excellence in cleft care and surgical training.
Held in the heart of the Netherlands, this unique two-day hands-on dissection course brings together surgeons, trainees, and specialists from around the world to explore the latest techniques and insights in both primary and secondary cleft repair. Through expert-led lectures, detailed surgical demonstrations, and immersive cadaver dissections, participants will gain a deeper understanding of complex anatomy and refine their operative skills in a collaborative and high-level educational setting.
Whether you are seeking to enhance your skills in primary cleft lip repair or master the challenges of secondary lip and nasal reconstruction, this course provides an invaluable opportunity to learn, share, and grow within a community committed to excellence in cleft care. We look forward to welcoming you in Utrecht this November for another inspiring and educational experience!
Emma Paes (University Medical Centre Utrecht) and Martijn Cornelissen (Erasmus Medical Centre Rotterdam)

Meet our speakers
Dr. David Chong (MBBS FRACS)
Associate professor, plastic and maxillofacial surgeon
Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery Department, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.

Meet our speakers
Dr. Sophie Butterworth
Plastic, reconstructive and cleft surgeon
Newcastle Cleft Lip and Palate Service, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals, Royal Victoria Infirmary, United Kingdom.

Meet our speakers
Dr. Dirk Jan Menger
Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon, Ear nose throat surgeon
Department of Facial Plastic Surgery, UMC Utrecht, the Netherlands and Bergman Clinics.

Meet our speakers
Dr. David Mosmuller
Co-Owner, Medical Director and cosmetic doctor KNMG
Doctors at Soap

Meet our speakers
Prof. Dr. Ronald Bleys
Head of the department of Anatomy, professor Clinical Anatomy
University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands.

Meet our speakers
Dr. Bart van Nimmen
Plastic, reconstructive and cleft surgeon
Cleft Team Central, location Tilburg, the Netherlands.

Meet our speakers
Dr. Frank Datema
Ear nose throat surgeon
Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

Meet our speakers
Dr. Floris van Zijl
Ear nose throat surgeon
Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
Precision in Practice: Learning Advanced Cleft Surgery Techniques from the Experts
Following the success of our previous course on velopharyngeal insufficiency, we now shift focus to the complex topic of primary and secondary cleft lip and nose repair. This two-day, hands-on training combines cadaver dissections, expert lectures, and in-depth discussions to advance both knowledge and technical skill.
Day 1 is dedicated to primary cleft lip repair, covering essential background on embryology and anatomy and detailed instructions in surgical approaches. The day features David Chong, a globally recognized expert in cleft lip and palate surgery. With extensive experience in both primary and secondary cleft procedures, David has developed and refined techniques that significantly improve both functional and aesthetic outcomes.
The afternoon turns to secondary cleft lip procedures. Topics include the use of fillers, dermis fat grafts, and the Abbe switch flap, with practical sessions in the dissection lab under the expert guidance of our faculty, including Sophie Butterworth, a renowned plastic surgeon at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle and co-lead of the acclaimed Newcastle Cadaveric Speech & Cleft Rhinoplasty Course. The day wraps up with a congress dinner in central Utrecht—a great chance to unwind, connect with colleagues, and continue the conversation in a relaxed atmosphere.
Day 2 focuses on secondary cleft nose correction, with leading surgeons such as Dirk Jan Menger and Frank Datema, known for their expertise in advanced rhinoplasty and cleft nasal reconstruction.
They will present their personal techniques and surgical philosophies, followed by hands-on practice sessions where participants will work with cartilage struts, rib grafts, and other methods of nasal framework reconstruction.
In the afternoon, participants may join Special Interest Groups (SIGs) held during the Annual Meeting of the Dutch Society for Clefts and Craniofacial Anomalies, taking place on November 13–14. The SIGs offer deep dives into specific aspects of cleft care and foster interaction with Dutch colleagues. An optional anniversary dinner will be held in celebration of the Society’s 40th anniversary, offering a relaxed and festive close to the event.

Book your tickets now
6th International Cleft Course Utrecht
Ticket 1
Early Bird Ticket
until 31 July 2025
The registration fee includes all course materials, hands-on training sessions, coffee breaks, lunches, and beverages throughout the program. It also includes access to the course dinner on Thursday, 12 November.
Please note: Participation in the SIGs and the anniversary dinner on Friday, 14 November, is optional and not included in the ticket price.
- € 1350,-
- BOOK NOW
Ticket 2
Standard Fee Ticket
from 1 August 2025
The registration fee includes all course materials, hands-on training sessions, coffee breaks, lunches, and beverages throughout the program. It also includes access to the course dinner on Thursday, 12 November.
Please note: Participation in the SIGs and the anniversary dinner on Friday, 14 November, is optional and not included in the ticket price.
- € 1500,-
- BOOK NOW