Asymmetric bilateral cleft lip: classification and a surgical technique.

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Craniofacial Surgery
• Pediatric Surgery

Background:

• Bilateral cleft lip (BCL) presents unique challenges in achieving symmetrical lip aesthetics.
• Asymmetry in lip segments often complicates surgical outcomes in BCL repair.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a specific surgical technique in achieving lip height symmetry after bilateral cleft lip repair.
• To assess the anthropometric symmetry of lip height in patients with BCL treated by a single surgeon.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective audit of 35 patients undergoing bilateral cleft lip repair using a defined technique.
• Collection of lip height measurements (right and left) before and at least 1 year after surgery.
• Statistical analysis using a 2-sample t-test to compare post-operative lip heights.

Main Results:

• No statistically significant difference (P = 0.12) was observed in lip height between the right and left sides post-surgery.
• The technique demonstrated successful symmetry in lip height among the studied cohort.

Conclusions:

• The evaluated technique is a promising alternative for correcting asymmetric bilateral cleft lip.
• Surgical strategy for asymmetric BCL repair should be tailored to the individual cleft severity.