TY - JOUR
T1 - Unilateral Cleft Lip Repair
T2 - Technical Maneuvers to Achieve Vermilion and Mucosal Height
AU - Chiang, Sarah N.
AU - Zubovic, Ema
AU - Skolnick, Gary B.
AU - Patel, Kamlesh B.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. All rights reserved.
PY - 2022/2/17
Y1 - 2022/2/17
N2 - Background: Patients with unilateral cleft lip often require secondary procedures due to asymmetric fullness or deficiencies along the mucosal free margin of the upper lip. Here, we describe our technique for mucosal advancement and repair to attain symmetry. Methods: Maneuvers to obtain vermilion and mucosal height include (1) use of a tailored vermilion flap; (2) supraperiosteal release of the lesser segment; (3) backcut "poker incision" to mobilize the mucosal flap on the lesser segment; (4) transverse release of mucosa across the greater segment; (5) accurate reduction along vermilion-mucosal junction; and (6) bilateral medial mucosal advancement. To examine postoperative outcomes, photographic data were available for 14 patients with unilateral complete cleft lip. The Cleft Lip Component Symmetry Index was then calculated as a ratio of upper lip height on cleft to noncleft sides, where an index of 1 indicates symmetry. Results: Sixteen consecutive patients underwent unilateral cleft lip repair with this technique over a 3-year period, none of whom have required secondary operations. The symmetry index for 14 of 16 patients was 1.02 ± 0.11 (95% confidence interval [0.96, 1.08], P = 0.56), demonstrating satisfactory upper lip symmetry. Conclusions: Postoperative asymmetry after unilateral cleft lip repair, particularly along the free margin, continues to be a common problem, necessitating secondary procedures. The technique of mucosal repair merits more careful attention than it has previously received, and here we describe in detail a method that has allowed for improved symmetry.
AB - Background: Patients with unilateral cleft lip often require secondary procedures due to asymmetric fullness or deficiencies along the mucosal free margin of the upper lip. Here, we describe our technique for mucosal advancement and repair to attain symmetry. Methods: Maneuvers to obtain vermilion and mucosal height include (1) use of a tailored vermilion flap; (2) supraperiosteal release of the lesser segment; (3) backcut "poker incision" to mobilize the mucosal flap on the lesser segment; (4) transverse release of mucosa across the greater segment; (5) accurate reduction along vermilion-mucosal junction; and (6) bilateral medial mucosal advancement. To examine postoperative outcomes, photographic data were available for 14 patients with unilateral complete cleft lip. The Cleft Lip Component Symmetry Index was then calculated as a ratio of upper lip height on cleft to noncleft sides, where an index of 1 indicates symmetry. Results: Sixteen consecutive patients underwent unilateral cleft lip repair with this technique over a 3-year period, none of whom have required secondary operations. The symmetry index for 14 of 16 patients was 1.02 ± 0.11 (95% confidence interval [0.96, 1.08], P = 0.56), demonstrating satisfactory upper lip symmetry. Conclusions: Postoperative asymmetry after unilateral cleft lip repair, particularly along the free margin, continues to be a common problem, necessitating secondary procedures. The technique of mucosal repair merits more careful attention than it has previously received, and here we describe in detail a method that has allowed for improved symmetry.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85125113610&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1097/GOX.0000000000004125
DO - 10.1097/GOX.0000000000004125
M3 - Article
C2 - 35198352
AN - SCOPUS:85125113610
SN - 2169-7574
VL - 10
SP - E4125
JO - Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Global Open
JF - Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Global Open
IS - 2
ER -