Intraoral closure of subcutaneous clefts of lip

A new method for the closure of subcutaneous clefts of lip has been presented. The operation was achieved from an incision in the oral mucosa, without skin incision in the white portion of the lip. The muscle stumps of the orbicularis oris are freed from their false insertion and re-united. In addition, the musculature is separated from the skin In this manner, the shortness of the white portion of the lip, which is due to the elevation of the musculature, is largely eliminated. The lip on the cleft side thus attains the same length as that of the healthy side. The muscular pull gives rise to a conspicuous philtrum pit and ridge, without external scar on the lip. This principle of separating the musculature can also be used in the repair of incomplete and complete clefts of lip, and in all reoperations of the lip.