A modified technique to correct the cleft lip nasal deformity.

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Craniofacial Surgery
• Pediatric Surgery

Background:

• Cleft lip and palate deformities significantly impact nasal aesthetics and function.
• Standard cleft lip nostril repair involves repositioning alar cartilage, lengthening the columella, and correcting the alar base.
• Existing techniques may have limitations in achieving optimal long-term results.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a specific surgical technique for primary and secondary cleft lip nostril repair.
• To assess the efficacy of the rotation-advancement procedure combined with specialized flaps and stitches.
• To determine the impact of the technique on nasal growth and recurrence rates.

Main Methods:

• The rotation-advancement lip procedure was employed for primary and secondary cleft lip nostril repairs.
• "Skoog's mattress key stitch" was utilized for alar cartilage elevation and support.
• A c-flap was used for columellar lengthening, with its de-epithelialized portion augmenting the cleft side alar base in secondary cases. A lateral mucosal L-flap was incorporated in primary cases.

Main Results:

• Seventeen primary and fifteen secondary cases were treated with this technique.
• Follow-up ranging from one to four years showed no interference with nasal growth in primary cases.
• No recurrence of the deformity was observed in any patient; three secondary cases needed minor revisions.

Conclusions:

• The described surgical technique is effective for both primary and secondary cleft lip nostril repair.
• The method achieves satisfactory aesthetic and functional outcomes without compromising nasal development.
• The technique demonstrates a low rate of recurrence and minimal need for secondary corrections.