Modification of Reichert's technique based on natural landmarks and individual designs for unilateral repair of cleft lip

Abstract

We present a new technique for repair of unilateral cleft lip used in 230 patients. This is a modification of Reichert's technique for unilateral cleft lip repair. It is based in three concepts: form, severity, and natural landmarks of the lip. All the incisions are placed on natural landmarks, between the aesthetic subunits of the upper lip. The incision for rotation of the philtrum is designed to imitate the column of the philtrum on the normal side with good aesthetic result. We do not use a subnasal incision on the lateral side. Since 1996, we have used this technique in 230 unilateral cleft lip repairs. We obtained a good functional and aesthetic result in the nose and upper lip. Our failure rate was 14%. We describe Reichert's modified technique, named the Reichert-Millard's technique, with good aesthetic results (fewer scars and more individual designs than traditional techniques) for repair of the lip and nose in patients with unilateral cleft lip.