Minor-form, microform, and mini-microform cleft lip: anatomical features, operative techniques, and revisions

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Craniofacial Surgery
• Pediatric Surgery

Background:

• Cleft lip repair typically results in a scar along the full labial height.
• Limited forms of incomplete cleft lip may allow for a smaller scar.
• This study investigates lesser-form cleft lip variants and their surgical outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To define subgroups of lesser-form cleft lip.
• To describe alternative surgical techniques for these subgroups.
• To review the results of surgical repair for lesser-form cleft lip.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of a surgeon's registry.
• Identification of patients with minor-form, microform, or mini-microform cleft lip.
• Analysis of surgical techniques and revision rates for each variant.

Main Results:

• 59 lesser-form variants identified among 393 unilateral incomplete cleft lip patients.
• Minor-form (n=20) repaired with rotation-advancement.
• Microform (n=28) repaired with double unilimb Z-plasty.
• Mini-microform (n=11) repaired with vertical lenticular excision.
• Primary nasal correction was often necessary.
• Revision rates were low compared to complete cleft lip.

Conclusions:

• Lesser-form cleft lip is classified into minor-form, microform, and mini-microform based on vermilion-cutaneous junction disruption.
• These classifications guide the selection of nasolabial repair techniques.
• The extent of the cleft correlates with the type and frequency of necessary revisions.