Reverse-U incision for secondary repair of cleft lip nose

We describe a reverse-U incision for the secondary repair of cleft lip nose deformity. With it, the desired correction, for the various types of deformity, is easy to achieve--especially in the snub nose. Wide subcutaneous undermining in the lower half of the nose results in a subcutaneous layer of fibrosis. We believe this scar layer is more important in holding the ala in the corrected position than is any direct surgical attack on the underdeveloped cartilage itself.