Frontal columellar flap in unilateral cleft lip repair

Abstract

The authors modified the design of Mohler’s method of cleft lip repair, and attempted to make this method more reasonable, standard and surgically applicable, yield better outcome and to broaden the indications. In the modified Mohler technique, wherein designing and dissecting of the flap and the orbicular oris muscle are done separately, the author created an equilateral triangle flap (side≤6mm) from the frontal part of the columella. The flap is rotated and displaced downwards so that the atrophic philtral dimple is lengthened, the philtral column is reconstructed in such a way that the involved side of the Cupid’s bow peak is restored to the normal position. From 1998 to 2000, the authors used this modified method to correct unilateral cleft lips in 38 patients. The results showed that the skin of the frontal columella and that of the philtral dimple were structurely similar, and so is ideal material for repairing the atrophied philtral dimple. The modified Mohler method for unilateral cleft lips can, produce a better lip contour and broaden the indications.