Cleft Lip Nose Research Articles

A preliminary observation on interdomal suture through bilateral reverse-J incisions to repair cleft lip nose deformity in the setting of traveling charity programs

Background Nasal appearance is one of the most important factors in determining the success of a cleft repair. This preliminary study aimed to evaluate a simple variant of primary nose repair technique to achieve an optimal nasal esthetic outcome along with the lip repair in the setting of traveling charity programs, where time is an obvious limitation.

Botulinum toxin type A: implications in wound healing, facial cutaneous scarring, and cleft lip repair

Botulinum toxin is a neurotoxin that has been utilized to induce chemo-denervation of muscles. Cutaneous wounds represent a special situation in which the tensile forces applied by these muscles on wound edges might have deleterious effects on the healing process. The aim of this review was to investigate such an effect and to review other mechanisms this toxin might have on the healing process. We also reviewed the role of botulinum toxin in the management of hypertrophic scars and cleft lip repair.

Correction of Cleft Lip Nose Deformity With Rib Cartilage

Correction of cleft lip nasal deformities (CLND) is often unsatisfactory because of problems resulting from cartilage weakness and strong soft tissue forces. Therefore, strong cartilaginous support, such as rib cartilage, is mandatory. The authors describe placement of rib cartilage grafts to create a more symmetric and aesthetically acceptable repair of CLND with improved nasal air flow. Two groups of patients, including those with unilateral and bilateral CLND, underwent operations with different sources of autologous cartilage. Group 1 received grafts from the septum and ear, whereas group 2 received grafts from the septum and ribs. Results were evaluated by 2 independent physicians who rated improvement between pre- and postoperative photographs. There were significant differences in postoperative improvement between patients who received septal/ear cartilage grafts and those who received septal/rib cartilage grafts in both unilateral and bilateral cases (P = .028 and P = .043, respectively). The authors' results demonstrate that rib cartilage has a positive effect on the aesthetic outcome of CLND operations and provides a strong support structure for correcting this deformity with minimal postoperative complications.

Commentary on: Correction of Cleft Lip Nose Deformity With Rib Cartilage

In their article, “Correction of Cleft Lip Nasal Deformity Using Rib Cartilage,” Hafezi et al present their preferred source of autologous graft material in the treatment of patients with cleft lip nasal deformities (CLND). They maintain that rib cartilage, harvested as recommended by Gunter et al,1 is superior to auricular cartilage (which they believe is convoluted) and to septal cartilage (which they believe is limited in amount). The authors report on a number of CLND patients they treated with rib cartilage grafts. They achieved …

Fifteen-Year Follow-Up Results of Presurgical Orthopedics Followed by Primary Correction for Unilateral Cleft Lip Nose in Program SEHATI in Indonesia

Objective : To assess long-term effects of nasal correction in infancy on nasal form and growth in patients with unilateral cleft lip, alveolus, and palate (UCLP). Design : Retrospective longitudinal study. Patients : Seventeen patients with complete UCLP treated in Program SEHATI in Harapan Kita Children and Maternity Hospital, Indonesia, and followed for approximately 15years were enrolled. Interventions : Subjects received presurgical orthopedics using a Hotz's plate and simultaneous primary lip and nose repair in which the lower lateral cartilage was repositioned through a reverse-U incision. Main Outcome Measures : Preoperative and postoperative nasal forms, including the nostril height and width ratio, the ratio of the height of the top of the alar groove, and the ratio of nostril surface areas were analyzed using color photos taken serially. One-way analysis of variance was used for statistical analyses. Results : The nostril height and width ratio and the height of the alar groove were significantly improved postoperatively and maintained for 15years. The mean ratio of nostril surface areas was 1.01 ± 0.12 fifteen years postoperatively, and there was no significant difference from the ratio 1year postoperatively. The major persistent deformities were septal deviation and a small skin web on the nostril rim. Conclusions : Our primary cleft lip nose correction has provided an acceptable nose form and absence of disturbance of the nasal growth in patients with UCLP. However, the repositioning of the nasal cartilage at infancy might not eliminate the need for secondary correction after puberty.

Critical Analysis of Consecutive Unilateral Cleft Lip Repairs: Determining Ideal Sample Size

Objective : Cleft surgeons often show 10 consecutive lip repairs to reduce presentation bias, however the validity remains unknown. The purpose of this study is to determine the number of consecutive cases that represent average outcomes. Secondary objectives are to determine if outcomes correlate with cleft severity and to calculate interrater reliability. Design : Consecutive preoperative and 2-year postoperative photographs of the unilateral cleft lip-nose complex were randomized and evaluated by cleft surgeons. Parametric analysis was performed according to chronologic, consecutive order. The mean standard deviation over all raters enabled calculation of expected 95% confidence intervals around a mean tested for various sample sizes. Setting : Meeting of the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association in 2009. Patients, Participants : Ten senior cleft surgeons evaluated 39 consecutive lip repairs. Main Outcome Measures : Preoperative severity and postoperative outcomes were evaluated using descriptive and quantitative scales. Results : Intraclass correlation coefficients for cleft severity and postoperative evaluations were 0.65 and 0.21, respectively. Outcomes did not correlate with cleft severity (P = .28). Calculations for 10 consecutive cases demonstrated wide 95% confidence intervals, spanning two points on both postoperative grading scales. Ninety-five percent confidence intervals narrowed within one qualitative grade (±0.30) and one point (±0.50) on the 10-point scale for 27 consecutive cases. Conclusions : Larger numbers of consecutive cases (n > 27) are increasingly representative of average results, but less practical in presentation format. Ten consecutive cases lack statistical support. Cleft surgeons showed low interrater reliability for postoperative assessments, which may reflect personal bias when evaluating another surgeon's results.

小児期の片側性唇裂外鼻二次修正術の臨床的・三次元的観察

Objective: To analyze the outcomes of the secondary correction of unilateral cleft lip nose deformities in childhood, the preoperative and postoperative nasal forms were assessed clinically and three-dimensionally. Patients and methods: Fifteen Japanese children with unilateral complete cleft lip with/without cleft palate (UCLP) who had undergone follow-up secondary cleft lip nose correction in childhood and were followedup for 2 to 4 years at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kagoshima University Hospital were studied. All patients were treated by rhinoplasty through a unilateral reverse-U incision combined with the medial-upward advancement of nasolabial components and vestibular expansion using a free mucosal graft. Three-dimensional (3D) nasal forms were longitudinally measured using a 3D noncontact laser scanner preoperatively and 3 months and more than 2 year postoperatively in 6 patients. Analyzed variables included angular and linear measurements, deviation of the nasal midline, and curvature of the nasal alar. Results: There were no serious complications in any patients. Comparison of the preoperative and postoperative 3D nasal forms revealed that the nasal height was significantly increased (p<0.05) and the deviation of the nasal midline was improved in the lower half of the nose (p<0.05) postoperatively. The significant difference in the curvature of the nasal alar grooves between the cleft and noncleft sides (p<0.05) disappeared postoperatively. However, longitudinal observation of the nasal forms demonstrated slight relapse of the nasal height and nostril shape more than 2 years postoperatively. Conclusions: Our procedure for secondary correction of nasal deformities in childhood improves the nasal height and symmetry of the alar forms of patients with UCLP. Long-term follow-up is necessary to clarify effects on the stability and growth of nasal tissues reconstructed in childhood.

Unfavourable results in the repair of the cleft lip

Introduction:Unfavorable results in unilateral and bilateral cleft lip repair are often easy to spot but not always easy to prevent as to treat. We have tried to deal with the more common problems and explain possible causes and the best possible management options from our experience.Unilateral cleft lip repair:Unfavorable results immediately after repair involve Dehiscence and Scaring. Delayed blemishes include vermillion notching, a short lip, deficiency in the height of the lateral vermillion on the cleft side, white roll malalignment, oro-vestibular fistula, the cleft lip nose deformity, a narrow nostril and a “high-riding” nostril. We analyze the causes of these blemishes and outline our views regarding the treatment of these.Bilateral cleft lip:Immediate problems again include dehiscence as also loss of prolabium or premaxilla. Delayed unfavorable results are central vermillion deficiency, a lip that is too tight, bilateral cleft lip nose deformity, problems with the premaxilla and maxillary growth disturbances. Here again we discuss the causation of these problems and our preferred methods of treatment.Conclusion:We have detailed the significant unfavorable results after unilateral and bilateral cleft lip surgery. The methods of treatment advocated have been layer from our own experience.

Nasal Changes after Presurgical Nasoalveolar Molding (PNAM) in the Unilateral Cleft Lip Nose

Nasal reconstruction for patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) is a challenge for the reconstructive surgeon. Presurgical nasoalveolar molding (PNAM) was introduced to reshape the cleft nasal structures prior to lip repair. This study analyzed two-dimensional nasal changes before and after PNAM in patients with complete UCLP. Thirty UCLP patients (19 males; 11 females) who received PNAM before lip repair were included in this study. PNAM was applied for 100 days. Nasal casts were obtained before and after PNAM. Frontal and 45° standardized digital photographs were taken from all casts, and a photogrammetric analysis (16 linear, six angular, and two area measurements) was performed. Paired Student's t tests were used to search for differences by time, and time versus side (cleft versus noncleft). Significant reduction of cleft columella deviation with an increase in columella length, nostril height, and axial inclination on the cleft side were recorded. This resulted in an increase in the projection of the nasal tip. The noncleft measurements remained without significant changes. The cleft nostril area increased significantly more than the noncleft side by 90% with PNAM treatment. Significant normal growth changes were observed in nasal width and nasal height. A favorable reshaping of the nose after PNAM was achieved, resulting in an improvement in form before lip surgery. These changes lead to improved nasal symmetry before primary lip and nasal reconstruction in UCLP patients.

Simultaneous repair of bilateral complete cleft lip nose: ten-year follow-up results

Objective To explore the method to correct nasal deformity of the bilateral complete cleft lip and to eveluate the benefits of this teachnique.Methods Sixteen patients with the bilateral complete cleft lip were consecutively chosen to correct the nasal deformity of the bilateral complete cleft lip.We performed an open approach to facilitate alar cartilage manipulation while repairing the bilateral complete cleft lip,and elevated the prolabial flap for reconstructing the continuity of orbicularis oris musele artery by anatomizing and protecting the prolabial-columellar artery.Nasal columella length and wideth,nasal wideth,ratio of nasal length to face length,ratio of nasal wideth to the distence of nasolabial angle were analyzed after a minimum of 10 years after surgery.These were compared with those in a normal,age-matched control group.Results Appreance of nose and lip of 16 patients after surgery were satisfying and long-term results were good by following-up for 10 years.Columellar length and ratio of nasal length to face length were not significantly different from that of the control group.Nasal wideth,columella wideth,tip projetion and nasolabial angle were all significantly greater in the cleft group than the normal (P＜0.05).Conclusions Prolabial flap manipulation is a safe approach by using anatomizing the columellar-labial artery.This teachnique is effective and yields good long-term results. Key words: Congenital bilateral cleft of lip; Nasal deformity with bilateral cleft lip

Open Versus Closed Rhinoplasty with Primary Cheiloplasty: A Comparative Study

The repair of unilateral cleft lip nose deformity remains a challenging endeavor for reconstructive surgeons for many reasons, one of which is the timing of rhinoplasty, whether to be synchronous or staged with cleft lip repair and the technique for rhinoplasty. Many authors now favor primary rhinoplasty with the cleft lip repair. Various surgical techniques have been used, most commonly the closed and open rhinoplasty techniques. In this randomized controlled prospective study, we compare the closed rhinoplasty technique with open rhinoplasty during primary unilateral cleft lip repair. Thirty-six patients with unilateral complete cleft lip and nose deformity were selected. Out of this 19 patients were assigned randomly and operated with open rhinoplasty and 17 patients with closed rhinoplasty. The cleft lip repair was done using modified, Millard's rotation-advancement technique in both the groups. Follow-up assessment was done after 6months. Quantitative and qualitative analysis were done. Statistical analysis of the data was done using SPSS 11.0. Post-operatively, the alar base width difference between the open and closed rhinoplasty techniques was statistically significant. There was no statistically significant difference in other parameters compared.

Alar Web in Cleft Lip Nose Deformity

The correction of alar webbing in unilateral cleft lip nose deformity is challenging because of progressive distortions in the alar web region during the period of growth. Alar webbing is a persistent universal deformity in both the primary and secondary cleft lip noses. The purpose of this article is to study the alar web deformity in adult patients with unilateral cleft lip noses. Twenty-five patients aged 13 years and older presenting with unilateral cleft nasal deformity were included. Preoperative and postoperative measurements of the nose, along with detailed intraoperative recording of the deformed anatomy, were done. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging was also done in selected cases. Transcolumellar open rhinoplasty was performed in all the cases, and nasal septal straightening with centralization was done. Cleft alar base augmentation was done using bone graft to restore symmetry of the nasal tripod. Both the cleft and noncleft alar cartilages were extensively mobilized from the skin and mucosal sides. The overgrown and caudally slumped cleft-side alar cartilage was resected caudally and was then resuspended in a symmetrical position with the noncleft alar cartilage. A midline-strut septal cartilage extension graft was used to restore the tip aesthetics. The skin overlying the alar web was in-rolled after semilunar cartilage resection, and skin excision was also done to restore symmetry with the opposite vestibule. The remaining secondary cleft nasal and lip deformities were corrected depending upon the specific presenting pathologic abnormality. The cleft alar cartilage was found to be caudally displaced in all the cases. The caudal border of the lateral crus was prolapsing in the cavity of the vestibule on the superomedial aspect and was tenting the skin in the area of the weak triangle, producing the characteristic alar web deformity. In the study group, the maximum width of the cleft alar cartilage at the level of the lateral crus was increased by approximately 4 mm when compared with the noncleft alar cartilage. The before- and after-rhinoplasty surgery results were objectively assessed using a patient, surgeon, and independent observer survey. The cosmetic result of the nasal tip complex was found to be very good and good (90%), satisfactory (5%), and poor (5%) in patients. The alar web in unilateral cleft lip nose deformity is the result of caudal overgrowth and migration of the alar cartilage. The caudal edge of the prolapsed lateral crus overhangs the cleft-side nasal aperture on its superomedial aspect, producing this deformity. Satisfactory correction of this deformity should envisage caudal resection and repositioning of the dislocated alar cartilage along with caudal resection of the lateral crus with in-rolling of the skin after resection to achieve symmetric results in unilateral cleft lip rhinoplasty.

Three-Dimensional Computed Tomographic Analysis of the Maxilla in Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate

The cleft lip nose is a complex 3-dimensional (3D) midfacial soft tissue and bony deformity. The contribution of maxillary hypoplasia to the etiology of this deformity has often been implicated for the suboptimal results of surgical treatment. The dimensions of the maxilla in unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) have not been studied especially in relation to the volumetric and other asymmetries on the either side in unilateral clefts. The purpose of this article is to assess the relevant maxillary parameters of length, width, height, depth, and volume in patients with UCLP and compare the parameters of the cleft and noncleft sides. Fifteen patients with UCLP were treated by a standard protocol by a single surgeon and orthodontist. The measurements of maxilla were taken using a combination of axial, coronal, lateral, and 3D reconstructed images. The volume of each maxilla was calculated on 3D reconstructions using the technique of manual segmentation, which allowed complete reconstruction of the right and left maxilla individually. In general, the cleft maxillary length, width, height, depth, and volume have been found to be reduced when compared with the normal sides with significant P values (Wilcoxon signed rank test Z, P < 0.001). The study demonstrates the anatomy of the maxillary asymmetry existing in UCLP and underlines the importance of correcting the bony deficiency by appropriate techniques to harmonize the results of rhinoplasty in unilateral cleft lip nose deformity. Augmentation of the deficient maxilla by specific contoured bone grafts allows restoration of the symmetry of the nasal platform in unilateral cleft lip nose deformity.

Early Correction of Septum JJ Deformity in Unilateral Cleft Lip–Cleft Palate

The treatment of patients affected by unilateral cleft lip-cleft palate is based on a multistage procedure of surgical and nonsurgical treatments in accordance with the different types of deformity. Over time, the surgical approach for the correction of a nasal deformity in a cleft lip-cleft palate has changed notably and the protocol of treatment has evolved continuously. Not touching the cleft lip nose in the primary repair was dogmatic in the past, even though this meant severe functional, aesthetic, and psychological problems for the child. McComb reported a new technique for placement of the alar cartilage during lip repair. The positive results of this new approach proved that the early correction of the alar cartilage anomaly is essential for harmonious facial growth with stable results and without discomfort for the child. The authors applied the same principles used for the treatment of the alar cartilage for correction of the septum deformity, introducing a primary rhinoseptoplasty during the cheiloplasty. The authors compared two groups: group A, which underwent septoplasty during cleft lip repair; and group B, which did not. After the anthropometric evaluation of the two groups, the authors observed better symmetry regarding nasal shape, correct growth of the nose, and a strong reduction of the nasal deformity in the patients who underwent primary JJ septum deformity correction. The authors can assume that, similar to the alar cartilage, the septum can be repositioned during the primary surgery, without causing growth anomaly, improving the morphologic/functional results.

Correction of Unilateral Cleft Lip Nose Deformity Using Nasal Alar Rim Flap

The objective of this study was to show the use and effectiveness of nasal alar rim flap on the correction of unilateral cleft lip nasal deformity. Thirty-one patients (age range, 10-29 years; mean, 15.1 years; 14 male and 17 female patients) with unilateral cleft lip underwent rhinoplasty surgery using alar rim flap. The excessive skin of nasal alar was marked, then a skin flap was raised. This flap can be transferred medially (type 1) or laterally (type 2) to narrow the nostril or to augment the nasal sill and, of course, to correct the alar web deformity. Preoperative and postoperative photographs were measured for photogrammetric analysis in 16 patients. The alar rim flap used in patients with unilateral cleft lip made the nostrils more symmetrical. The nostril sill was augmented with flap type 1. The alar base width was narrowed with flap type 2 (P = 0.03). The alar web deformity was corrected. The alar rim flap could be an ideal treatment option for correction of alar web deformity in patients of unilateral cleft lip.

Revision of the Cleft Lip Nose

Secondary or revision rhinoplasty for the cleft nasal deformity represents one of the most challenging problems in rhinoplasty surgery. The secondary nasal deformity of the unilateral cleft lip involves a retrodisplaced dome of the ipsilateral nasal tip, hooding of the alar rim, a secondary alar-columellar web, and other deficiencies. This article discusses techniques to achieve the best possible outcome for patients with cleft nasal deformities. We emphasize the importance of early intervention by way of primary cleft rhinoplasty and highlight the typical challenges presented in delayed (secondary) or revision cleft rhinoplasty. We describe how the sliding flap cheilorhinoplasty effectively corrects these deformities using a laterally based chondrocutaneous flap via an open rhinoplasty approach. Columellar struts and shield grafts are some of the techniques combined with this approach to produce optimal results.

Anthropometric evaluation of bilateral cleft lip nose with cone beam computed tomography in early childhood: Estimation of nasal tip collapse

Nasal tip features of cleft lip nose cannot be defined well using conventional measurement methods. Therefore, we developed a new method in which vertical nasal tip (the pronasale) position is evaluated based on the Frankfurt-Horizontal plane. This measurement was applied to bilateral cleft lip patients in early childhood. Cone beam computed tomography (CT) records of bilateral cleft lip patients after primary rhinoplasty aged from 5 to 8 years (n=13) were investigated retrospectively. As age-matched controls, data from a normal group (n=17) and complete unilateral cleft lip group after primary rhinoplasty (n=19) were included. In each group, nasolabial angle (β), nasal tip angle (α), nasal width (al-al), columellar length (sn-c' ), nasal tip protrusion (sn-prn), and vertical nasal tip position (sn'-prn'/sn'-n') were investigated. With the exception of vertical nasal tip position and nasal width, the measurement data of the bilateral cleft lip patients were acceptable. In the bilateral cleft lip group, however, vertical nasal tip position was significantly higher and nasal width was significantly larger than those in the normal and unilateral groups (P<0.0001 and P=0.0298; P=0.0001 and P=0.0002, respectively). In cleft lip nose, the lower lateral cartilage that normally composes the nasal tip domes is splayed out, causing cephalic positioning of the pronasale. Nasal tip collapse was more severe in bilateral cleft lip than in the unilateral group. These results were compatible with the fact that many bilateral cleft lip patients require augmentation rhinoplasty after adolescence even after primary rhinoplasty.

Bolster Implementation of Custom-Made Plaster in the Reconstruction of Cleft Lip Nose

Bolster Implementation of Custom-Made Plaster in the Reconstruction of Cleft Lip Nose

Three-Dimensional Analyses of Nasal Forms After Secondary Treatment of Bilateral Cleft Lip–Nose Deformity in Comparison to Those of Healthy Young Adults

To 3-dimensionally analyze outcomes after the secondary treatment of bilateral cleft lip-nose deformity at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kagoshima University Hospital, Kagoshima, Japan. Ten Japanese male young adults with bilateral cleft lip with or without palate (BCL±P) who had undergone definitive nose correction and were followed up for 1 to 4 years were enrolled in this study. Ten unaffected race- and gender-matched young adults were used as controls. All patients underwent secondary correction of the nose by open rhinoplasty through a bilateral reverse-U incision, columellar strut graft, and medial-upward advancement of the nasolabial components with vestibular expansion by use of a free mucosal graft. In 3 patients with an extremely short columella, an inferiorly based small pedicle flap from rim skin rotated into the columellar base was added for columella lengthening. Nasal forms were periodically measured by use of a 3-dimensional noncontact laser scanner. The angular and linear measurements and the curvature of the alar groove arch were compared between patients and control subjects. Comparison of the preoperative and postoperative nasal forms showed significant improvements in the nasal dorsum and tip angles, as well as nasal height. The size of the nasal alar grooves was also increased to the same size range as the control subjects. There were persistent differences between postoperative columellar angle and nasal width in patients and those in the control subjects. Our surgical procedures can provide an acceptably protruded nasal form for patients with BCL±P without damaging the upper lip tissue, but further improvement to prevent nasal tip overprojection may be useful.

Psychiatric assessment of children with nonsyndromic cleft lip and palate

Objective The aim of the study was to determine whether children with nonsyndromic cleft lip and palate (NSCLP) are more likely to be diagnosed with psychiatric disorders and whether cleft-related factors are related to psychopathology. Method Twenty children from 6 to 16 years of age with NSCLP, attending the Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Department of Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty between January and October 2010, were included as the case group. Forty healthy children who were matched on age and sex with the case group served as controls. Children were assessed by psychiatric interviews and scales. Results Social anxiety disorder (SAD) ( P=.003) and major depressive disorder (MDD) ( P=.010) were more prevalent in children with NSCLP. The severity of dentofacial ( P=.035) and cleft lip nose deformities ( P=.002), appearance and competence of the lip ( P=.008), dental alignment ( P=.002), feeding ( P=.044) and articulation problems ( P<.001) were associated with clinical global functioning. Conclusions Children with NSCLP are at risk of developing psychopathology, especially SAD and MDD. The above cleft-related factors and articulation problems may be the target of interventions to prevent and treat psychiatric disorders in these children.