Application of autologous costal cartilage-based open rhinoplasty in secondary unilateral cleft lip nasal deformity

Abstract

To evaluate the effectiveness of autologous costal cartilage-based open rhinoplasty in the correction of secondary unilateral cleft lip nasal deformity. Between January 2013 and June 2020, 30 patients with secondary unilateral cleft lip nasal deformity were treated, including 13 males and 17 females; aged 14-41 years, with an average of 21.7 years. Among them, 18 cases were cleft lip, 9 cases were cleft lip and palate, and 3 cases were cleft lip and palate with cleft alveolar. The autologous costal cartilage-based open rhinoplasty was used for the treatment, and the alar annular graft was used to correct the collapsed alar of the affected side. Before operation and at 6-12 months after operation, photos were taken in the anteroposterior position, nasal base position, oblique position, and left and right lateral positions, and the following indicators were measured: rhinofacial angle, nasolabial angle, deviation angle of central axis of columella, nostril height to width ratio, and bilateral nasal symmetry index (including nostril height, nostril width, and nostril height to width ratio). The incisions healed by first intention after operation, and no complications such as acute infection occurred. All 30 patients were followed up 6 months to 2 years, with an average of 15.2 months. During the follow-up, the patients' nasal shape remained good, the tip of the nose and columella were basically centered, the back of the nose was raised, the collapse of the affected side of nasal alar and the movement of the feet outside the nasal alar were all lessened than preoperatively. The basement was elevated compared to the front, and no cartilage was exposed or infection occurred. None of the patients had obvious cartilage absorption and recurrence of drooping nose. Except for the bilateral nostril width symmetry index before and after operation, there was no significant difference ( t=1.950, P=0.061), the other indexes were significantly improved after operation when compared with preoperatively ( P<0.05). Eleven patients (36.7%) requested revision operation, and the results were satisfactory after revision. The rest of the patients' nasal deformities were greatly improved at one time, and they were satisfied with the effectiveness. Autologous costal cartilage-based open rhinoplasty with the alar annular graft is a safe and effective treatment for secondary unilateral cleft lip nasal deformity.