Upper Triangular Flap in Unilateral Cleft Lip Repair

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Craniofacial Surgery
• Pediatric Surgery

Background:

• Unilateral cleft lip repair presents challenges in achieving symmetrical and aesthetically pleasing outcomes.
• Existing methods often result in visible scarring and may not fully correct philtral column deformities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of the upper triangular flap method for unilateral cleft lip repair.
• To assess the cosmetic and functional results of this surgical technique in a large patient cohort.

Main Methods:

• The upper triangular flap technique was employed in 250 patients undergoing unilateral cleft lip repair.
• Key steps include precise reference point identification, flap design, and layered muscle approximation.
• Emphasis is placed on reestablishing the sillo-columellar distance and minimizing tissue devitalization.

Main Results:

• The method achieved cosmetically appealing and predictable results in all 250 patients.
• Scars were minimized, appearing as a straight philtral column parallel to the noncleft side.
• The technique effectively addressed philtral column shortening by correcting the real lip length.

Conclusions:

• The upper triangular flap method is a simple yet effective technique for unilateral cleft lip repair.
• It offers excellent aesthetic outcomes with well-hidden scars and reliable correction of lip length.
• This approach provides valuable insights and a reliable option for surgeons performing cleft lip repairs.