Modified Unilateral Incomplete Cleft Lip Repair with Primary Nasal Overcorrection: A Muscle-Driven Technique

Millard's rotation-advancement principle, first-described 60 years ago, continues to guide surgeons in reconstruction of the unilateral cleft lip. Modifications of the rotation-advancement repair are commonly used; however, distinction between the complete and incomplete forms of cleft lip has received less emphasis in surgical procedure descriptions. As a unilateral incomplete cleft lip could present with more tissue overall and a larger lip on the cleft side than a complete form of cleft lip, the authors have adopted a deformity-specific technical approach to treat each particular cleft form. This article highlights the 10 key steps for execution of a modified unilateral incomplete cleft lip repair using the rotation-advancement principle plus the "skin-follows-muscle" model. The intraoperative design and the reconstruction of the skin, muscle, vermilion, intraoral mucosal, and nasal elements are fully detailed in the accompanying videos.