Open versus closed rhinoplasty with primary cheiloplasty: a comparative study.

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Craniofacial Surgery
• Pediatric Surgery

Background:

• Unilateral cleft lip nose deformity presents significant reconstructive challenges.
• The optimal timing and technique for primary rhinoplasty in conjunction with cleft lip repair are debated.
• Both open and closed rhinoplasty techniques are commonly employed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the outcomes of open versus closed rhinoplasty techniques during primary unilateral cleft lip repair.
• To evaluate the efficacy and aesthetic results of two distinct surgical approaches.
• To provide data for optimizing surgical strategies in cleft lip and nose reconstruction.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled prospective study involving 36 patients with unilateral complete cleft lip and nose deformity.
• Patients were randomly assigned to undergo either open rhinoplasty (19 patients) or closed rhinoplasty (17 patients).
• Cleft lip repair utilized a modified Millard's rotation-advancement technique in both groups, with a 6-month follow-up for assessment.

Main Results:

• A statistically significant difference was observed in the alar base width between the open and closed rhinoplasty groups post-operatively.
• No other statistically significant differences were found in the assessed parameters between the two techniques.
• Quantitative and qualitative analyses were performed to evaluate surgical outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Open rhinoplasty may offer advantages in achieving specific alar base width modifications compared to the closed technique during primary unilateral cleft lip repair.
• Further research is warranted to explore long-term outcomes and refine surgical techniques for unilateral cleft lip nose deformities.
• The choice between open and closed rhinoplasty should consider specific patient needs and desired aesthetic outcomes.