[Philtrum formation in congenital cleft of upper lip]

Philtrum (labial groove) has aesthetic importance and governs individual features of human face. There are discussed the ways of philtrum reconstruction described in domestic and foreign literature. The main principles of the upper lip central part formation in one-sided congenital clefts are set out. Method of orbicularis oris muscle myoplasty by putting in the asymmetric stitches on deep and surface layers lets to reconstruct the philtrum and its column on the cleft side. Such philtrum reconstruction was performed in 90 cases of primary and secondary cheiloplasty in female patients with congenital one-sided clefts of the upper lips. Long-term results of 58 primary and 14 correcting operations on the upper lips were followed in the time period from 1 to 5 years. Good aesthetic results were achieved in 86.21 and 92.86% of the cases, respectively.