[Cleft lip: apropos of 80 cases]

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Craniofacial Surgery
• Pediatric Surgery

Context:

• Cleft lip is a common congenital malformation with significant aesthetic and functional implications.
• While often treated in infancy, a notable percentage of patients present for surgical correction in adolescence or adulthood.
• Unilateral cleft lip is the predominant form, observed in over 90% of cases.

Purpose:

• To evaluate the efficacy of the modified Millard rotation-advancement technique in repairing cleft lip across various age groups.
• To assess surgical outcomes in a cohort of patients, including adolescents and adults, undergoing cleft lip repair.
• To highlight the importance of early and multidisciplinary management for cleft lip malformations.

Summary:

• This study analyzed patients undergoing cleft lip repair using a consistent modified Millard rotation-advancement method.
• A significant proportion (20%) of the patient cohort were adolescents or adults (over 14 years old).
• The surgical technique yielded good results in 85% of all treated cleft lip cases, irrespective of age at presentation.

Impact:

• The modified Millard rotation-advancement technique demonstrates effectiveness in achieving satisfactory aesthetic and functional outcomes for cleft lip repair, even in older patients.
• Highlights the need for accessible surgical interventions for individuals with cleft lip who may not have been treated in early childhood.
• Emphasizes the critical role of early, specialized, and multidisciplinary care in optimizing outcomes for patients with cleft lip and palate deformities.