Lengthening the columella of severe secondary bilateral cleft lip nasal deformity by using skin cartilaginous tissue flaps on superior border of bilateral nostril

Abstract

Objective To introduce the method of lengthening the columella of severe secondary bilateral cleft lip nasal deformity by using skin cartilaginous tissue flaps on the superior border of bilateral nostril. Methods We adopted the method of using the skin cartilaginous tissue flaps on the superior border of bilateral nostril associated with alar cartilages reduction to lengthen the columella in 40 patients with severe secondary bilateral cleft lip nasal deformity. All patients were followed up for 5-28 months, with an average period of 15.3 months. The treatment outcomes were evaluated by a questionnaire in postoperative follow-up. Results All the 40 patients had achieved satisfactory lengthening of columella and there were no major complications. The questionnaire results showed 36 patients with excellent and 4 patients with good. Conclusions Lengthening the columella of severe secondary bilateral cleft lip nasal deformity by using skin cartilaginous tissue flaps on the superior border of bilateral nostril is a relatively simple and safe method with good effect. Key words: Bilateral cleft lip; Nasal deformity; Nasal columella; Alar cartilage