The Central Lip Flap and Nasal Mucosal Rotation Advancement: Important Aspects of Composite Correction of the Bilateral Cleft Lip Nose Deformity

Abstract

The columella, nasal tip, lip relationship in the secondary bilateral cleft deformity remains an enigma and a great challenge for the cleft surgeon. A subset of patients with bilateral cleft lip still require columellar lengthening and nasal correction, despite the advances in preoperative orthopedics and primary nasal corrections. An approach to correct this deformity is described. This consists of (1) lengthening the columella by a central lip advancement flap; (2) open rhinoplasty, allowing definitive repositioning of lower lateral cartilages, ear cartilage grafting to the tip and columella when necessary; (3) nasal mucosal advancement; (4) alar base narrowing; and (5) reconstruction of the orbicularis oris as required. Depending on the individual assessment of the patients, some of these steps were not performed, leaving the nasal mucosal advancement the most important aspect of the reconstruction. In a consecutive series of 72 patients with repaired bilateral cleft lip and palate, 17 patients have been treated with nasal mucosal rotation advancement and followed up for a maximum period of 10 years. With the use of this technique, the secondary bilateral cleft lip nose deformity has been successfully corrected.