Unilateral Cleft Lip Revision with Conversion to the Modified Inferior Triangle

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Craniofacial Surgery
• Aesthetic Surgery

Background:

• Unilateral cleft lip revision addresses persistent aesthetic concerns like scars, asymmetry, and vermillion border defects.
• Complex cases with multiple visible stigmata necessitate a comprehensive revision approach.
• The modified inferior triangle technique is explored for its efficacy in cleft lip revision.

Purpose of the Study:

• To anthropometrically evaluate the outcomes of unilateral cleft lip revision using the modified inferior triangle technique.
• To assess the effectiveness of this repair method in correcting pre-existing lip deformities.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 27 patients undergoing cleft lip revision with the modified inferior triangle.
• Standardized preoperative and postoperative photographs were analyzed using anthropometric measurements.
• Reliability of measurements was confirmed by blinded reviewers; statistical comparison used paired t-tests.

Main Results:

• Preoperative measurements showed significant differences in philtrum column height, hemilabial length, and hemilabial length'.
• Postoperatively, no significant differences were observed in these parameters between the cleft and non-cleft sides.
• Significant improvements were noted in philtral height, philtrum column width, and mouth width post-revision.

Conclusions:

• The modified inferior triangle repair is an effective method for unilateral cleft lip revision.
• This technique leads to improved anthropometric measures and enhanced lip appearance.
• The study supports the use of the modified inferior triangle for achieving better aesthetic results in cleft lip revisions.