Unilateral cleft lip repair without making incisions on the lip surface. A modified Millard operation

In clinical and anatomical studies carried out during 1986-1990, two new findings were identified: a small spade-shaped myocutaneous tag which can often be found at the medial side of the cleft near the columella base and the levator septi nasi muscle which draws the cleft side of the philtrum upwards. With the full use of the two findings, a method of unilateral cleft lip repair without making incisions on the lip surface was developed. Since 1986, 52 cases of unilateral cleft lip have been repaired with this method. The early and late results were gratifying.