Columellar Reconstruction: A New Technique for Median Cleft Lip Repair

Median cleft lip (MCL), failure of the fusion of the medial nasal prominences in the midline resulting in vertical cleft through the center of the upper lip, can be repaired by various columellar reconstruction approaches depending on the nature of patient. The main drawback of these surgical techniques is the use of healthy neighboring structures that may compromise the process. In this report, the authors present a new approach for repairing MCL which involves simultaneous columellar reconstruction without damaging any nasal units. Briefly, columella was reconstructed with 2 lateral triangular flaps harvested from both cleft sides. They were sutured together and attached to the ventral surface of the nasal dome at the midline. The procedure was resulted in satisfactory clinical and esthetic outcome suggesting this approach may present a better alternative for this condition.