Reconstruction of Bilateral Cleft Lip and Nose Deformity

Abstract

Bilateral cleft lip and nose deformity can be divided into several types according to the extent of the cleft, protruding premaxilla, size of prolabium and nose deformity. Many repair techniques introduced in the literatures were not perfect because of the change of facial profile under the influence of facial growth.The author uses 1-stage cheiloplasty with nose correction for bilateral cleft lip and nose deformity. Early lip adhesion is used before definitive corrections in wide-cleft patients. The lateral mucosal flaps are used for the lining of alveolar cleft. The lateral orbicularis oris peripheralis flaps with the mucosa approximate in front of premaxilla with creation of a buccal alveolar sulcus and continuity of an orbicularis oris muscle. The lateral orbicularis marginalis muscle flaps with white skin roll and vermillion are used for reconstruction of the Cupid's bow. To enhance the median tubercle, prolabial vermilliomucosal flap is inserted into the gap between an approximated orbicularis peripheralis flap and an approximated orbicularis marginalis flap. Z-plasty of the vestibular ridge and the fixation of lower lateral cartilages to dissect through alar rim excision achieve columella lengthening and tip projection. Lip scar revision is rare, but secondary nose correction using triple V-Y flap is frequent.