[Methods of primary repair in cleft lip]

The authors made a longitudinal study on 60 children with subtotal or total cheiloschisis to assess the surgical results achieved by means of the methods of Tennison and Millard. The evaluation was based on metric, morphologic and functional parameters. Normal values were obtained from control groups of children without cleft lip. The results show that both operating techniques are well suited for closing the cleft. The method of Tennison should be used in cases of subtotal cheiloschisis; and that of Millard, in cases of total cheiloschisis. The operating technique of Millard provides a favourable correction of the position of the nose, which permits to dispense with difficult modifications.