Lengthening of the short columella associated with bilateral cleft lip

Operations for lengthening the columella can be classified into three groups on the basis of source of material: lip, nose, or ear. When seen in profile, the middle of the lip provides one-fourth to one-third of the forward projection of the columella as compared with the level of the alar bases. Complete bilateral cleft lips usually benefit from columellar lengthening, but symmetrical, incomplete clefts rarely require it. Ancillary procedures, such as correction of a retruded maxilla by Le Fort I osteotomy or by contour build-up, can enhance the overall result. Our experience with advancement of skin from the floor of the nose and ala [15], skin from the alar margins at the tip [7], prolabial advancement flaps, fork flaps, and composite earlobe grafts is reported.