Secondary unilateral cleft lip nasal deformity: functional and esthetic reconstruction

Secondary correction of residual unilateral cleft lip nasal deformities is necessary in a number of patients for functional and cosmetic purposes. Myriads of techniques and modifications have been reported. Most of these publications, however, deal with the correction of the esthetic aspects of the deformity, and little attention has been given to the functional problems associated with the deformity and to the functional outcome of these procedures. A comprehensive protocol of care for correction of residual nasal deformities describing our preoperative anatomical and physiological evaluation, our surgical techniques, and postoperative outcome is presented here. The first 30 consecutive patients managed with this protocol were evaluated clinically and physiologically with rhinomanometry. Significant functional improvement was identified in 73.3% of our patients. It is recommended that airway obstruction be evaluated and addressed in all patients with residual cleft nasal deformities. Component rhinomanometry provides objective information about airway obstruction, and postoperative testing and comparison with preoperative data provide for an objective evaluation of results and assist the surgeon to evaluate the outcome of all procedures critically and to modify or improve them appropriately.